“UNCALLED FOR”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 74, 9 March 1933, Page 7

“UNCALLED FOR”

LETTER FROM MINISTER STRONG EXCEPTION TAKEN. WAIROA COUNTY’S FINANCES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wairoa, March 9. For some tinie past since the coming of the slump the Wairoa County Council has fouud it very difficult to collect rates due by property owners. These ratepayers in the past had been quite exemplary in this matter and many of them were greatly perturbed on a rumour gaining currency some days ago that the Government had threatened to put a receiver in charge of the finance of the Wairoa County Council —in other words, to put a bailiff in. The offence was that the council was behind in the payment of some £7,300 to several State lenders and during tho month—to be precise, the day aftet the last meeting—the council received a letter from the Minister of Internal Affairs omitting the use of the word “receiver” and advising that unless interest payments were made legislation would be brought down authoris ing the appointment of a commissioner to control the county. On the advice of the chairman tho clerk wrote acknowledging the letter and stating that the matter would be dealt with at this week’s meeting.

At Wednesday’s meeting a letter was read from the Minister of Internal Affairs advising that unless satisfac tory arrangements were made for the payment of interest due by' the council’ to three State lending departments it is proposed to bring down legislation authorising the appointment of a commission to have control of the county. While the full letter was be ing read there were some tense moments in the council chambers, and one or two showed lines of indignation on their faces. •

The chairman (Mr. A. G. Nolan) said that the letter was most uncalled for and he would not have taken so much notice of it had it come from a departmental head but it was from the Minister, who ought to know something of the worries of finance. It was an unthinkable action.

The council, lie went on to say, had advised the department that they would not be able to pay at the due date, but would consider the whole matter of payment by March 31, and this letter from a Minister of the Crown, who should have been able and willing to assist with sdvice, was just simply rubbing it in and without warning. The clerk stated that the council had never refused payment but had intimated more than once that they would go into the matter before March 31. That was the intention all the time. Cr. G. C. Ormond advised paying half now if possible. The chairman: They should pay the lot if they can do so, and they might be able to do it. CROWN TENANTS’ DEFAULT. The clerk: Much of the trouble is due to Crown tenants defaulting. The chairman then moved that the Minister of Internal Affairs be ad vised that the council takes strong exception to the threat contained in his letter seeing that the council had advised the lending authorities that the matter would be considered in March; that much of the trouble was caused through Crown tenants not paying their rates and the Government not providing any machinery for its collection, and the Minister should have withheld action till the council hud considered the matter in March; and that a list be sent in of all Crown tenants who had defaulted? The motion was carried unanimously. The clerk, in reply to a question, stated that there was actually only six months’ interest overdue. Putting in a commissioner would mean the setting to one side of the, chairman —who draws £9O per annum for practically giving all his time to council business —in favour of a commissioner at about £BOO a year, who would need his own staff. It would also mean a slap in the face to councillors who had given years of service at great personal discomfort and expense in carrying on the work of the county under extreme difficulties.