BURDEN OF RATES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22878, 5 November 1937, Page 13

BURDEN OF RATES

' PROBLEM IN COUNTIES EFFECTS OF NEW SYSTEM need for relief urged [by TKI.KGKArn SI'KCUT, RKPOTtTKR] Thursday The burden imposed upon farmers ■is a result of the abolition of ridincr accounts in the Waikohu county, near Gisborne, was the subject of a 'lengthy debate in the House of Representa lives to-day. Jl| e discussion was initiated by the presentation of a report from the I"hi,c Petitions A to L Committee on the petition of A. A. Fraser and five others, praying f„ r rc ]j of TJie of)m _ mittec, in referring the matter to the government, for consideration, added t lat it had 110 recommendation to make as a question of policy was involved. The same committee made a similar report on the petition of G. V. Smith and 106 others, who asked for an investigation into certain matters m the Cook County. The Council's Excuse Mr. A. G. Hultquist (Government— Bay o| Plenty) said that as a result of the abolition of the riding system of keeping accounts rates on the Hat had been nearly doubled. The council, m reply to protests, made the excuse that the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, had told them that if they failed to abolish the svstom voluntarily they would be madto do so sooner or later. Apart altogether from the question whether they had been frightened into it they had abolished the old system, Mr. Hultquist continued, and according to law it could not be reinstated. It was contended by the Cook County that rates had been increased by 37.4 per cent because of higher costs due to Government legislation. Rates Equal to 3s 2d Per Sheep Mr. Hultquist said the result of the change in system was that rates on flat lands had increased by 4S per cent and amounted to over £1 an acre, which was really a rental. It worked out at 3s 2d per sheep as compared with Is 4d per sheep on hill country. There was fear that the burden on the flat lands would increase in future because the hill country was deteriorating. The petitioners were asking that the Government should relieve the Cook and AYaikohu counties of the antecedent liability in respect to roads taken over by the Highways Board. Mr. Hultquist was sorry the committee was not in a position to make ' recommendations on matters of policy ' as ho believed the problem affected ! many other counties. A Warning to Government

Mr. J. Hargest (Opposition—Awarua) said the case should serve as a warning to the Government not to abolish the riding system in counties. The system had stood the test of time.

J lie Lender of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, said that as a result of the high costs imposed by the Government a gradual deterioration of high country lands was taking place all over New Zealand. The Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone: How long has this deterioration been going on? Mr. Hamilton said it had been accelerated since the present Government took office. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ANOTHER BUSY SITTING ARMY BILL DISCUSSION [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION"] "W ELLINGTOX, Thursday The Legislative Council this afternoon passed the Imprest Supply Bill (No. 2). * Ihe following local measures were passed:—The Ngaruawahia Borough Council Empowering Bill, the Auckland Harbour Board Loan and Empowering Bill, the Motnekii Borough Council Empowering Bill, and the New Plymouth Borough Council Empowering Bill. The following private bills also were passed:—The Nelson Diocesan Trust Board Empowering Bill, the Wellington Diocesan Board of Trustees, Churr>V 0 f England, Empowering Bill, the ton Parsonage Site Amendment Bill and the Church of England Trusts Amendment Bill. Moving the second reading of the Army Board Bill the Leader of the Council, the Hon. M. Eagan, explained the measure and said it was in a sense a validating measure, because the Army Board was already in operation. The Hon. E. Waite (Otago) said the bill was a valuable piece of machinery, but unless the country had men for the ranks it would be of little use. He made a strong appeal for recognition of the soldier. Better uniforms were needed, but he did not think the blue colour would help. Better-made garments were wanted. The Hov. J. K. Archer (Canterbury) said he bad always advocated peace, but he hoped the bill would be passed. The Hon. W. Perry (Wellington) stressed the need for men and urged the leaders of the country to exhort young men to serve and others to support them instead of sneering at them. The bill was put through all stages and passed.