RATES FOR ROADS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21400, 26 January 1933, Page 10

RATES FOR ROADS

OBJECTION BY FARMERS NON-PAYMENT SUGGESTED [I'ROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] MATAMATA, Wednesday That farmers should passively resist payment of rates for reading purposes was suggested by Mr. J. Furniss at yesterday's meeting of the Auckland provincial executive of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union.

Mr. Furniss contended that (he matter had now become one of conscience as tho present form of road taxation was unjust. Farmers in the Old Country, lie said, had shown what could be done by a united stand m their opposition to the tithes. .It was a fact that tithes were not now collected. He was prepared passively to resist payment and be made a scapegoat if it were necessary to do so to briug matters to a head. Mr. W. 11. Boyd admitted that he accepted the intention to act in the manner indicated and would refuse to pay his rates if necessary. It was time a determined stand was taken.

Messrs. W. 11. Allen, R. M. Feisst, A Topham and 11. C. Mellsop, while expressing sympathy, deprecated tho executive taking a stand on the matter. In reply, Mr. Furniss said that he had advertised the Hamilton meeting to discuss derating on his own responsibility. If it failed he realised that it would entail his resignation from the presidency of the Waikato sub-provincial executive. He had been asked to submit a report, on his action and had done so. He felt that if they were not prepared to lead they should get out and make way for those who would lead.

The report was received without com ment.