FARMERS’ STRESS

Northern Advocate, 21 April 1933, Page 5

FARMERS’ STRESS

UNABLE TO PAY RATES AMELIORATION SOUGHT. SUBSIDY TO COUNCILS. . REBATE ENABLEMENT. (Per Press Association.—Copyright.). WELLINGTON, This Day; Discussion upon a remit urging the question of granting a subsidy to county councils to enable a- rebate. of rates to bo made, led to a lively ■ debate at the meeting 1 of the~'Domift-• -on executive of the New Zealand" Farmers’ Union yesterday. One delegate said that in - some ‘ parts of New Zealand farmers were adopting a policy of passive ’ resistance towards the payment of rates. The, movement was .growing, and it behoved the Government to take a

SQlejnn w.irning. A Mr W. .1, Poison, M.P., president of ‘ the union, said that the year before last a rebate of 12-J per cent . had been granted. It was no good farmers taking up a hostile attitude. One had to consider the finances and the state of the country. . "I deprecate the constant attacks;-, on local body administration,' , ’"--vsaicl' ,, ?e Air Poison, "because, in my opinion; ' local bodies are efficient and ; doing - the job in a most inexpensive-why.' ■ The conversion loan has meant a : coh-' : siderable saving to most local'bodies,' ' and it is up to ns to help the Gov; eminent as much as possible. If a .to-, bate is granted, the Consolidated ’’■ Fund will have to bear the burden,-.. We can’t have it both ways.”., ; Another delegate said that in; some;' of the wealthiest--Counties... in New Zealand 50 pcr_ cent of farmers were unable to pay their rates. Air Holland: .."We are in danger some time of forgetting onr fespdnsi-’ ‘ bilities. Under the circumstances I-, don’t think it is reasonable. to press.,- . for a rebate at this stage.’’ , Air F. Colbeek said derating would T , become a by-product of the slump,, be: cause lands would derate themselves. ...

After further discussion, the remit was deferred.