Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1931. DERATING FARM LANDS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2767, 26 August 1931, Page 4

Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1931. DERATING FARM LANDS.

THE question of derating farm lands is coming into prominence, and it is due, we think, to figure more prominently. If it were, as some appear inclined to think, merely another instance of country versus town or the product of party politics, then the sooner it were dropped the better. But if, as appears to be the case, the question of derating has a direct bearing on the ability of our primary producers to compete in the world’s markets, it becomes a matter of very real moment, not to any particular section of the community, but to the Dominion as a whole. Already a number of county councils have approved the principle of partial derating for reading purposes, in support of which figures have been quoted to show the serious burden of roading costs which some rural ratepayers have to carry. “Board and Council” points out that “while the county councils as a whole have reason to be grateful for the work and assistance of the Main Highways Board, there can be little doubt but that the expensive highway system that has resulted has placed financial burdens on some country districts in excess of the vahre they, can expect to receive in return. It is in an endeavour to distribute the burden more in accordance with the use obtained from the highways that i county councils have tunjed their thoughts towards partial derating of farm lands, offset by higher petrol taxation. In this they adopt a more reasoning -and reasonable attitude than that of the Auckland branch of the Farmers’ Union —if the provincial secretary’s replies to the Whangarei County Council’s questionnaire may be taken.as a true reflex of opinion of the body he represents. The provincial/secretary, to whom was delegated by the branch the responsibility of satisfying the .county council’s enquiries, indicated that he “always likes to use language which cannot be misunderstood.” The county council therefore had a comparatively simple task in following his line of argument, and in judging the merit of the proposals as a practical or practicable contribution to study of the derating problem. Far from being helpful, they are regarded by the county council as vague and evasive. They will do little towards promoting that spirit of co-operation between the parties concerned which will achieve far more than any dogmatic assertion for total derating regardless of other relevant considerations. If total deration should come, it will not arrive by any sudden process. As pointed out by' the county council in its considered statement, to attempt to change the country’s established practice in regard to. taxation by an arbitrary stroke of the pen would be useless. Many concur on the point that derating is called for; the cbvious point of difference is the degree to which. the process should or can equitably be applied. A petrol tax of lid a gallon is stated to be sufficient to permit of total derating of farm lands for roading purposes. To suggest that this should arbitrarily be imposed in times of depression without reference to other parties affected is sufficient to' condemn the proposal. Nevertheless some lead along these lines might result from friendly discussion between the three parties primarily concerned—farmers, county councils and motorists. According to a statement made in the course of the discussion by the Whangarei County Council, the motorists’ organisations are prepared to consider the matter of increased petrol taxation in a spirit of reasonableness, provided there is an assurance that the funds will ’be utilised for roading purposes, and not again pirated by the State to relieve the Consolidated Fund of its responsibilities. If there is a genuine case, in the interests of the country as a whole, for affording to productive lands some relief from their burdens of rates —and we believe there is—judging from the Whangarei County Council’s experience, no departure from the spirit of .the Main Highways Act would be necessary to provide the means to that end. If the sections of the community concerned would get together in amicable spirit to- discuss their difficulties some headway might be made.