Farmers’ Bank-Books Still Safe

Northern Advocate, 29 November 1937, Page 2

Farmers’ Bank-Books Still Safe

KAITAIA, Friday. “Rates have risen. The non-pay-ment by some is putting an extra burden on those who do pay," remarked Mr J. Stewart, at the monthly meeting of the Kaitaia branch of the Farmers’ Union when discussing a previous motion adopted by the branch to the effect that the Mangonui County Council should set up a permanent committee to investigate each rate-default-er's financial circumstances. This motion also suggested that the committee should obtain each defaulter’s bank pass book, dairy factory statements, and all other statements of account for the year. Since the adoption of this motion in July last it .has come in for adverse criticism, on several occasions and Thursday's meeting ' again saw it under fire, when notice of motion to rescind the resolution was tabled. Voting was in favour of its being rcl scinded. “I am surprised and ashamed that such a resolution was passed at the Farmers’ Union meeting,” commented Mr D. H. Lewis. “The majority of farmers pay their rates when they can. Some just cannot pay.” “It is nothing but a storm in a teacup,” commented Mr D. Kitchen. “The resolution merely asked that those who could pay but did not were made to do so," “The rash statements made show that the majority do not understand the resolution,” remarked Mr J. C. Marsh. “It is quite moderately worded.”