NO RATING POWERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21646, 17 May 1932, Page 2

NO RATING POWERS

THE OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD Some weeks ago Mr John Loudon, chairman of the Otago Harbour Board, made a statement regarding the board’s rating powers which caused some concern in the country. Mr Louden’s statement read as follows; “It is not generally known that a harbour rating area has been proclaimed by Statute. The area is a large one embracing a great part of Otago, but‘the board cannot levy a rate without parliamentary authority. The area is so large that even a rate of l-16d in the £ would bring in* a large sum.” The Otago Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union has been watching the position closely and has been in touch with Wellington in connection with this matter. The following reply received from the Minister of Finance (Mr W. Downie Stcw r art) sets out the position:— “ Your representations regarding the rating powers of the Otago Harbour Board have now received careful consideration. It appears, however, that the Otago Harbour Board has no rating powers and no record of the constitution of a harbour rating district can bo traced. It is possible, however, that the harbour representation district is being erroneously regarded as a rating district. The representation district is constituted only for purposes of election of members, and legislation would be required to constitute a rating district and authorise the imposition of a rate. With regard to the question of conferring on the Harbour Board statutory powers to levy and collect a rate, 1 may state that any legislation of this nature would be very carefully reviewed, and as Standing Orders of the House of Representatives provide that all local measures of this nature must be advertised ifi the district concerned, any person or bodies interested would be afforded an opportunity of ex- ‘ pressing their views on the measure.” Similar replies have been received from Messrs A. E. Anscll, W. A. Bodkin and P. M’Skiraming.