Exemption From Rating Of Massey College

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 204, 30 August 1938, Page 2

Exemption From Rating Of Massey College

FARMERS’ UNION CONCERNED “In view of tho assurance given by the Minister of Finance in August, 1937, that the question of Massey College rates would receive his attention, and in view of the fact that Massey College has since acquired another large property within the Fitzherbert riding, this branch would like to know at what decision the Minister has arrived,” stated a letter received by the Manawatu provincial executive of the Farmers' Union yesterday from the Linton branch. Speaking to the matter, Mr. L. F. Ballinger said that, in the extreme case of Massey College taking over half of tho riding, the owners of the remaining half would have to pay the whole ot" the rates. The Kairanga County Council had taken tho matter up, but its representatives seemed to havo been sidetracked. The Government's argument seemed to be that, if anything were done in regard to Massey College, similar action would have to be taken with all schools and colleges. Against that, the speaker would point out that Massey College was in a different position to other educational institutions in that it was in competition with tho farmers.

The Manawatu County Council, stated Mr. B. G. Gower, was faced with a similar position fyt Ohakea, where the Government had taken over a lot of land for aerodrome purposes. The chairman (Mr. H. J. McLoavey) suggested to Mr. Ballinger that, if his riding was being penalised to any great extent through the exemption of Massey College, efforts should be made to get the county council to follow the lead of other councils and introduce uniform rating, thereby spreading the amount over the whole of the county. Mr. N. Campbell: The trouble is that some of the ridings have paid off their obligations and others have not. “The Weraroa training farm is in our county, and it is worse from the point of. rating exemption than Massey College,” stated the chairman. After further comment, it was decided to ask the Minister of Finance if he had given the matter further consideration.