UNPAID RATES

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4810, 14 July 1939, Page 2

UNPAID RATES

PENALTY ON DEFAULTERS. DISQUALIFICATION URGED. Concerned at ths inequitable positioin arising from the disqualification of defaulting ratepayers from their rights to vote, the Farmers' Union sought information on the matter from the Waikato County Council. Although the disqualification extended to persons paying peppercorn rentals and having infinitesimal rates to pay, in practice those people would apparently be more likely to pay their rates, and perhaps many of them exercised votes in some districts, stated the communication.

There were legal rights the counties might use against defaulting ratepayers, extending even to the sale of properties. The rating system itself had been practically abolished in all other countries insofar as it was comparable with that in New Zealand, except perhaps in Southern Ireland. Those who had large pi-operties, especially in time of financial stress, had most interest, generally speaking, in the country roads, and would therefore value their voting power more than others.

It was stated at the meeting that the Farmers' Union intended seeking relief in this mafter from the Government.

A member of the council said that the legal remedies against defaulting ratepayers were not available to the council and disqualification was the only remedy.