RATEPAYERS' ASSN

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4811, 17 July 1939, Page 5

RATEPAYERS' ASSN

REPRESENTATIONS TO COMMISSION. HEARING TO BE SOUGHT. Arrangements for the placing of evidence as to the onerous burden of rating upon sheep farmers of this district before the Sheep Industry Commission were discussed at an executive meeting of the Waitomo Ratepayers' Association held in the Municipal Chambers on Friday. Mr. J. F. Roberts presided over the following delegates: Messrs. Lloyd Wilson, Prowse, T. Summers, Ollsen, Hansen, R. Boddy, H. Voyce, S. Finnis, J. E. Turst, P. S. Cullen and the secretary, Mr. W. D. Neal.

A letter was received from the Mahoenui branch of the Association congratulated the speakers for their clear and forceful representations made on behalf of ratepayers to the Acting Minister of Lands, the Hon. W. Lee Martin. Speakers at the meeting also expressed appreciation of the excellent manner in which the case for ratepayers had been brought to the notice of the Minister.

A discussion of the means of bringing to the notice of the Sheep Industry Commission the heavy burden placed on graziers of this district by rates ensued. On the motion of Mr. R. Boddy the meeting resolved that such representations as were made should relate only to the rating issue. i

The meeting resolved, on the motion of Mr. L. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Finnis, that the Association take steps to present before the Commission the particularly onerous burden of rates as an item of sheep farmingcosts in this district.

Delegates were emphatic that the seriousness of the position was so great that it was imperative that the Commission should hear the evidence of the Association, and a very full discussion ensued as to the channel through which application for a hearing should be made. As a result it was decided that the secretary should write to the joint committee, consisting of representatives of the Farmers' Union and Shipowners' Federation, stating that the Association desired to tender evidence of the heavy and increasing burden of rates upon the sheep farmer. Evidence would be prepared, and the Association is to request an audience for two speakers. In the event of the joint committee failing to make the necessary arrangements, the secretary is to write direct to the Commission asking the opportunity to state the case. On the motion of Mr. Prowse, seconded by Mr. Worrall, Messrs. Boddy and Wilson were appointed as the two speakers from the Association tc give evidence before the Commission. To collect this evidence a committee was constituted, consisting of Messrs. Boddy, L. Wilson, L. Worrall. G. P. Webster, H. Voyce, S. Finnis, D. R. Sage, and J. Robertson. This committee is to confer with repre-& sentatives of the County Council and a stock company on Friday next, to consider the question.

The object of the Association is to show the incidence of rating costs in relation to the sheep carried, and to demonstrate by this means the increase which has occurred in recent years per sheep.