Crown Land Rates

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 57, 9 March 1937, Page 9

Crown Land Rates

GOVERNMENT WILL PAY UNDER HOUSING SCHEME. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 6. “Tnere need De no anxiety about the Government paying rates on Crown lands,” said the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. M. J. Savage, yesterday in an interview. “This means, of course, that the State will pay the rates in the municipal districts in. which its housing scheme is being carried out. We have neither the desire nor the intention to injure local bodies or prive them of their rights. lam not in a position at the moment to discuss details, but the principle iB fixed. The Government will pay rates on Crown lands and State houses. “It is not necessary to say anything nore at present other than to emphasise that local authorities need not worry about the State’s obligations in respect of rates.” The Lower Hutt Borough Council on Thursday evening received a letter from the Commissioner of Crowq. Lands stating that in future the State would pay rates on Crown lands in proportion to the amount of rent reserved; that was, if rent was received on a property for only six months, only half the rates would be paid. The council considered that the letter was ambiguous as it did not make slcar if the Government would pay in proportion to the period for which a property was let or merely in proportion to the amount of rent paid. It was decided to ask the Commissioner to make the point clear.