DERATING FARM LANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20923, 13 July 1931, Page 11

DERATING FARM LANDS.

GRADUAL PROCESS ESSENTIAL COUNTY COUNCIL'S VIEW. MAIN HIGHWAYS FUND RELIEF. [from our own correspondent.] WHANGAREI, Saturday. Correspondence between the Whangarei County Council and the Auckland provincial branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union on the subject of derating farm lands was read at a meeting of the council yesterday. A letter from the county clerk on behalf of the council pointed out that the council had already pledged itself to support partial derating and was endeavouring to bring about a conference in Wellington during the early stages of the present session of Parliament between the executives of the Farmers' Union and the Counties' Association, with a view to combined action.

A questionnaire was submitted to the Farmers' Union with the council's letter. It has been returned and was considered by the council in committee yesterday. On resuming in open meeting the council reported at length on its considered opinion.

The report expressed disappointment at replies submitted by the Auckland Farmers' Union to the questionnaire. The policy of the Farmers' Union was apparently the total derating of farm lands. The council held the opinion that the changing of the present system of taxation must of necessity be handled with duo consideration and be a gradual process. In consequence of the operations of the Main Highways Act and its financial assistance, the Whangarei County Council has been able to reduce the general rate (collectable) from £27,900 in 1925-26 to £19,300 for the current financial year. With this practical experience combined with its adopted policy of reducing rates and gradual transfer of the incidence of taxation over to the users of the road, the council is confirmed in its contention that the machinery necessary for bringing about derating is already provided in the provisions of the Main Highways Act, and that with proper organisation and co-operation it is possible to carry sufficient weight to induce Parliament to pass the additional legislation required to give practical effect to the process of derating.