To Rectify Unfair Rating Practice

Northern Advocate, 17 December 1942, Page 2

To Rectify Unfair Rating Practice

(Special) KAITAIA, This Day. The" New Zealand Counties Association proposes to take up once more the injustice done ratepayers, by the non-pay-ment of rates by Crown lands. "Wo want (o have it cleared up before our soldiers return.” slated a letter discussed at the Mangonui County Council meeting on Wednesday.

With large areas of Crown and Native land in tlie County the council is very much affected by the loss of revenue under the present system. “Many ex-soldiers will settle on Crown properties and in some localities this time-henoured injustice will be considerably accentuated at the expense of the ether ratepayers in (he district.” the letter slated.

The association sought from the' council information about the number of Crown properties in the county on which no rates were paid, the loss of rates entailed. whether these properties were making profits and what area of land, if any. was being ret aside for 2nd N.Z.E.F. soldiers.

“In fairness to the actual payers of rates in a county, the organisation must exert its utmost pressure to have the existing unfairness of rating incidence removed.” the association’s letter concluded.