DERATING RURAL LAND

Northern Advocate, 15 August 1931, Page 6

DERATING RURAL LAND

LOADING PURPOSES,

CQUNCIU TO MEET DEPUTATION,

The Whangarei sub-provincial branch of the New Zealand Farmers ’ Union wrote to the Whangarei County Council yesterday asking the council to meet a deputation on August 21 in reference to the derating of farm lands for reading purposes.

The clerk stated that he had written to the secretary of the Farmers ’ Union, stating that the council was meeting on August 33, and suggesting that the deputation meet the council on that date, but a reply had been received stating that, owing to a prior engagement, the date was not suitable.

The clerk said that he had also written to the secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union inquiring as to the attitude taken by the union at the Dominion Conference, A reply had been received that the following resolution had been passed; “That pending the total derating of rural land, 25 per cent of the motor spirit tax, together with last year’s allocation, be distributed among local bodies according to the importance of each, eomputated on a basis of an average of (1) mileage of secondary highways, (2) population, (3) road expenditure, (4) rates, and (5) motor vehicles, this money to be used in the maintainance of roads other than primary main highways. Also that, pending complete derating, this conference is of the emphatic opinion that local body rating must be considerably reduced.” *

Ur. J. A. S. Mac Kay said it was a pity that the deputation wae not able to wait on the council at the latter’s mouthy meeting. It would have saved calling a, special meeting of the council, but in view of the importance of the matter to be discussed, it was desirable that all those who were interested should get together as soon as possible and not wait till the next meeting of the council. He moved that the council meet the deputation on the date suggested. The county,; the Farmers’ Union and the motor unions could, if they were agreed, do great work in connection with derating. The county and the motor unions were practically in agreement, and if the Farmers ’ Union, particularly in, the North, could agree, ■ good work could be done. If the sub-provincial executive even came into line with the Dominion it would be something better than they had had in the past. The Dominion executive had given a lead, and he was hopeful qf something useful being done at the conference.

Cr. Hayward said that they should not lose any opportunity of coming to some definite understanding as to the attitude taken up. The chairman, Mr L. Webb, said that if the conference were taken in the right spirit it should be very important. He was of opinion that there was very little between the County Council and the Farmers' Union, and the method of obtaining what they wanted was the principal difference. The Farmers * Union appeared to want to gain its object with, one sweep of the pen, while the county wished to do it gradually. They had to try to bring all people into line, and that could only be done gradually. They surely could come to some working arrangement when there was so little difference between them.

There was an impression abroad, Mr Webb said, that the Whangarei County Council was opposed to derating, but that was contrary to fact, and he was sure the other councillors would agree with him in that; Taking everything into consideration, he thought it would be wise to meet the deputation, as suggested. Cr, Elliott said it was a pity that the deputation could not have met the council bn an ordinary meeting day, as calling a special pieeting was expensive in these depressed times, Cr., Stephen agreed* that it was a pity that the deputation could not have met them that day. There seemed to he an impression that the council was opposed to derating, but he did not think that was-the.cape. The council recognised -that relief had to be given to the producers of the country, and that fact had not been overlooked. The council,was in favour of derating, provided something could be-put. forward to make up the deficiency in revenue. He thought that total derating with no substitute was a little ahead of its time.

Civ Clarke asked if* the result of the meeting would be too late to submit. as evidence to the select eopimittee inquiring into highway finance, as the question was meet, important. Cr. Mac Kay said he thought the importance of the question warranted the expenditure for a special meeting. He was rather optimistic, as to the result, and he did not think that individual members of the Farmers' Union believed that the council was antagonistic to derating. The council decided to meet the deputation on the date suggested by the Farmers’ Union.