DEFENCE AREAS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20720, 13 November 1930, Page 12

DEFENCE AREAS.

EXEMPTION FROM RAJES.

PROBLEM AT DEVONPORT.

COUNCIL REJECTS OFFER. Tito offer made by the Minister of Defence, tlio Hon. J. G. Cobbe, with respect to the loss of rates to tlie Devonport Borough Council by the exemption of defenco areas in tlie borough, was rejected at a meeting of the council last evening. The proposal mado by the Minister was that the Government should offer for lease its sections bordering on Vauxhail Bond and those at the north and south ends of the defence areas.

"It is a matter for regret that the interests of tlio borough should be made subservient to the naval and the military authorities," said Mr. J. Hislop, the deputy-mayor. "The suggestion seems to me to aggravate the trouble rather than diminish it. By building around tlio magazine, where explosives are stored, tho danger to residents will be increased Tlio council cannot entertain tho proposal while tho magazine remains. We will not let tho matter drop, but will again bring it before the Prime Minister and Parliament."

"It is a paltry offer, noh worthy of consideration," said Mr. T. Walsh. At the most tho scheme will yield only about £3OO a year in rates." It was stated by Mr. Hislop at the conference with tho Minister that a complete subdivision would provide about £3OOO.

A motion that tho council should dc clino the offer as a basis of negotiatioi was carriccl unanimously.