REBATE ON RATES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 90, 14 March 1935, Page 7

REBATE ON RATES.

TEN PER CENT PENALTY. Recently, the Makerua Drainage Board asked Mr J. Linklater, M.P., to ascertain if legislation would be enacted this year to enable local bodies to either remit any portion or postpone the payment of the ten per cent, penalty on unpaid rates. There had been legislation enacted on these lines previously and it was understood, said the board’s letter, that the legislation would not come before the House this year. In his reply, read at to-day’s meeting of the board, Mr Linklater said that apparently there had not been much demand “for an extension of the legislation at the present time, but if the local bodies as a whole wanted it he thought the Government -would be prepared to carry out their wishes. The Minister of Internal Affairs had said that the legislation had been enacted ror the years 1932, 1933, and 1934. So far only one application had been received asking for similar legislation for the current year, the Minister had said. He had also stated that should it be shown that there was a real need this year for a repetition of the legislation he would be prepared to introduce the necessary measure. On the motion of the chairman (Mr H. Seifert) it was decided to write to Mr Linklater saying that it was the most earnest desire of the board to see the legislation repeated. The chairman commented that evidently the other local bodies all believed that the rebate authority was to become automatically available. Explaining the action of the Kairanga Countv Council, the clerk (Mr N. I. Nielsen) said that the council had not remitted any part of the penalty of last year, but the previous year had extended the time for nayment.

The 12i per cent, rebate on rates was also mentioned, Mr T. D. Lynch suggesting that representations should be made to the Government to have the same privilege extended to drainage boards as was enjoyed by county councils. It was explained, however, that it was unlikely that there would be funds available for the repetition of the privilege and the board did not pursue this subject further.