WORK TO PAY RATES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21251, 3 August 1932, Page 12

WORK TO PAY RATES

MOUNT EDEN UNEMPLOYED •EXTRA DAY WEEKLY WAGES TO LIQUIDATE ARREARS A suggestion Hint ratepayers in Mount Eden who were employed on relief works in the district should bo granted extra work to crablo them to pay arrears in their rates was made by ]\lr. T. McNab, Mayor of Mount Eden, at a meeting of the Borough Council last evening. Mr. McNab said his proposal was that all relief workers, who through adversity, had been obliged to default in paying their rates, should be afforded an additional day's employment each week, the money earned by the men to bo placed to their credit in tho settlement of outstanding rates. No cash w6uld be handled

by the men, wlio would bo engaged mainly in necossary drainage works in tlie borough. Tlio scheme could be worked to the satisfaction of botli the council and the relief workers. "I think this would bo a very generous action on our part to ratepayers who are genuinoly up against it," continued tlio Mayor, in proposing that £SOO should bo allocated by the council for the purposo of putting tho scheme into operation. "I would like to help theso relief workers, but I am concerned with those other ratepayers who are experiencing hardship, but who aro not on relief works," said Mr. G. W. Clark. "Are wo not going to help them, too?" Mr. McNub said while ho sympathised with all ratepayers, those on relief works could bo best helped by the council. Mr. W. H. Nagle, chairman of tho Finance Committee, said tho council had nothing to fear financially by the scheme, as drainage was essential work and tho receipts in rates would bo increased. On tho motion of Mr. Nagle, the proposal to grant an extra day's work a week was confirmed, details of the scheme being left in the hands of the Finance and Works Committees.