THAMES BOROUGH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22137, 15 December 1933, Page 11

THAMES BOROUGH

THE RATING PROBLEM "TO PAY OR NOT TO PAY?” (Per United Press Association.) THAMES, December 14. The rating problem of the Thames was again discussed at a meeting of the Thames Ratepayers’ Relief Committee, when a reply was read from the Minister of InternaJ Affairs (Mr J. A. Young) to a recent petition praying for rating relief, and suggesting the appointment of an independent commission to report on the borough indebtedness, and the question of the uniform collection of borough and Harbour Board rates.The Minister referred to the circumstances that led to the agreement for the appointment of a commissioner, and regretted that the Government was unable to interfere with the terms of the agreement and the scope of the Thames Borough Commission Act. The committee unanimously agreed that the rating position called for drastic action, and it was now a question of “to pay or not to pay,” as every other avenue of relief had been exhausted.

It was decided to call another public meeting of ratepayers for Tuesday, when the position will be placed before them, and a course of action submitted for approval or amendment. Speakers were emphatic that nothing would be gained by further approaching the Government or the commissioner, and that direct action was essential to precipitate matters and procure much-needed relief from the burden of rates that was crippling the town.