COUNTY FINANCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20716, 8 November 1930, Page 13

COUNTY FINANCES.

POSITION IN MATAMATA. ,

FARMERS URGE ECONOMY

DRASTIC STEPS PROPOSED. [RY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] MATAMATA. Friday. The economic position as it affects rural ratepayers was discussed at a largelyattended meeting of farmers at Malamata this evening. The chairman, Mr. I). B. Higgins, moved: "That this meeting of farmers in the Matamata County considers that the time has arrived when drastic economies must be enforced by the Matamata County Council and we suggest that only work of absolute necessity be carried out during the period of depression. Further, that a reduction in staff be made in accordance with the reduced work and that the staff that remains receive a reduction in salary of 15 per cent, on all salaries ever £4 10s a week. If the council feels its inability to undertake the above recommendation, this meeting requests the council to dissolve and recontest. the seats."

Mr. J. \V. Anderson, chairman of the County Council, said the type of men who applied for a £4OO executive appointment with a local body was of a much lower calibre than the type which applied for a £SOO appointment. The speaker pointed out that the only way to maintain good roads was to spend money on them. Further advantage had to be taken of the summer weather to do road work. Mr. Anderson said the men on the back roads had to contribute toward the cost of the bitumen roads and it was the council's desire to give these men tho consideration they deserved. Tho motion was carried with one dissentient.