SOLDIERS AND RATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18533, 18 October 1923, Page 10

SOLDIERS AND RATES.

POSITION AT KEREONE. [BY TKLEGRATIt. —OWN correspondent.] TE AROHA. Wednesday. ' The question of the remission of rates on returned soldiers' sections in the Keroono Settlement was before the Piako County Council at its meeting on Monday. The clerk said that some time ago the council considered the question of rates on soldier settlements. The chairman inter viewed the Commissioner of Crown Lands, showing him a list of the rates which the council proposed to forego if the commissioner would assist the council to place < these settlers on the same level as all other ratepayers.. He promised to do all = in his power in this direction if the couu cil remitted all arrears. Subsequently it was discovered that the final word restea with the Attorney-General, who advised that he could not vary the present procedure. Any returned soldier could be sued, but permission must first be obtained from the Attorney-General. The clerk added that he could not find any authority to remit or write off rates, unless they are irrecoverable or extreme poverty is pleaded. The council decided that all rates up to March 31 last -be allowed to lapse and that the arrears be not entered on the rate demands.