RURAL RELIEF

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19338, 31 May 1937, Page 4

RURAL RELIEF

OUTLINE BY MINISTER HIGHER WAGES DEFENDED NO INSUFFERABLE TAX CRITICISM MAGNIFIED An outline of relief given to farmers by the present Government, including no interference with the. exchange rate, the taking over of 4000 miles of State highways, the institution of the guaranteed price and mortgage relief measures, was given by the Hon. R. Scrapie, Minister of Public Works and Transport, in Gisborne on Saturday evening.

This was given as a reply to a deputation representing the Cook County Council and settlers on the flat- land in the county who asked for some form of relief from a very heavy increase in rates which t.hey 'would have to carry this year as a result- of greater costs and the abolition of riding accounts.

The Minister said a great deal of propaganda, had .been broadcast against the Government's legislation, and he thought that many of the' difficulties met with had been definitely magnified, although be did not intend that remark lo apply to thi' submissions made by the deputation.

The present Government, he said, had been trying to give farmers relief. The exchange rate, which was designed to give the farmer a good measure of relief, had been left on until some other system could be formulated to take its place. The present Government had instituted the guaranteed price for dairy produce, and although protests bad been made, because it was contended that the [nice was insufficient, he did not think farmers wanted to go back to the old system. Not the Last Word He was just concluding a six months tour of the Dominion, in order to obtain an idea of what the counties really required, and he found farmers gratified with what had been done for them. They realised, too, that the last word had not been said for them.

•'1 make no apology," Mr. Semp.c said, "for the increase in wages to a decent level. We believe that if the men are prepared to render service they should be given wages sufficient for their needs.

The prosperity of the people, he maintained, depended upon the purchasing power of the individual man or woman who rendered service. If the workers were drawn down to the coolie level, business .turnover would suffer. That was sound economics, bub no man had a claim on the nation unless he contributed to the common weal. "So 1 make no apology to anyone,' Mr. Semplo proceeded, "for increasing wages to a level where men and women wilt be able to live decently. If low wages are a barometer of progress and prosperity, then India should be the most prosperous country in the world, but she is the most poverty stricken." ' It had been said that the Public Works Department was paying big wages, but the works had been mechanised by the adoption of modem methods, and the work was being done faster and at far less cost than under the old methods, saving on old estimates. being as high as 80 per cent. The county councils would have to follow the Public Works Department's policy, and adopt modern methods. Gear from Ark "1 have seen gear on some or the roads," Mr. Semple said, "which was very antiquated. It must have come out of the Ark."

The county chairman, Mr. Charles Matthews, said that that did not apply to the Cook County.

Proceeding, 11* Minister said that derating was a policy question, and he could give no answer to that. The 12i per cent rebate on rates was also a policy question, the money coining out of the highway fund, which would not be able to spare any this year for the purpose.

"1 wonder," Mr. Semplo asked, "il the hardship is as great as you have pic tured?'

Air. E. H. Baker, a county councillor, said that the counties in the eastern districts were geographically and geologically situated in an unfortunate manner, and the cost of roading was extraordinarily expensive. The Alinister confessed that from what be saw of the district the roading problem in the Bay of Plenty electorate was a difficult one. It was difficult and costly to build roads in country that was'slipping all the time. There was one bankrupt comity, and the adjoining county was nearly as badly situated because of very heavy flood damage. "That," he added, "brings us to this point, that those who have not proper access must get access." "Terrific Cost" The tax, however, must not be insufferable, for if the cost of roading put the farmer oft' the land because be could not pay, the road was of no use at all. The cost of the roads in the district be had seen during the week was terrific, and if would cost tens of thousands of pounds to put them in order.

However, just as the counties' incomes were limited, so was the public purse. Alore could not be taken out than was put in. The Government was not going to practice any cranky tricks by turning out paper money, and the expenditure on the roads would have to be measured the same as that of any other department. He did not want to see the people on tho low-lying lands, or on the hills either, taxed to the extent that they could not,pay. The relief given to farmers by mortgage adjustment had been of great value, Mr. Semple preceded, and many farmers were delighted with the relief given. That meant tens of thousands of pounds all over the Dominion.

He was trying to get from the Treasury money for counties that could not pav, and be thought lie could succeed. All the requests involved the Government policy, and he could give no answer to any of them. Hospital Rate On the matter of hospital rating, be said that the acting-Prime Minister, the lion. P. Eraser, had certain negotiations in hand, but how far they had proceeded he could not say. In conclusion, Mr. Semple said he would take the matters up, and go into them thoroughly.

"They are policy questions" be said, "and I am not the Mussolini of the Treasury.'-

Mr. W. 41. Sherratt, a county councillor : You have a persuasive manner. The Minister: I never let ub if I think 1 have a case. I do not viant to see yon faxed to an insufferable paint."

Mr. Matthews thanked tie Minister for the very attentive hearing given the deputation and for taking a grip of their problems.

“We did not expect you to hand out a coder full of money,” Mr. Matthews added, “and we appreciate the sympathetic hearing you have given us.”

(Further Reports on Page 11.)