POWER SCHEME

Southland Times, Issue 22999, 19 September 1936, Page 6

POWER SCHEME

ABOLITION OF LAND RATES MR NASH’S ASSURANCE

(Special to The Times.) Wellington, September 18.

Interviewed in Wellington to-day about advice received that the Government’s agreement not to levy any further land rates had been interpreted by certain persons as meaning merely that there would be no increase in the rates, the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) said that after the public statements, both in the Press and in Parliament, which had been made on this subject, it seemed inconceivable that such an interpretation could be taken.

Mr Nash said that, nevertheless, he would assure any who were in doubt that the Government’s agreement was that for all time, beginning on April 1 last, the levying of land rates to meet electric power deficits would be abolished if the Government took over. Rates now in arrears would be collected, but there would be no new rates, nor was there any authority for the Government to levy any such new rates. MEETING AT WAIPAHI RETENTION FAVOURED. A well-attended meeting, at which Mr A. J. Webb presided, was held at Waipahi on Thursday evening, when arguments were advanced by Mr S. Rice for the retention of the Southland power scheme. Questions were answered to the satisfaction of the audience.

A motion proposed by Ci’ Cumming, a member of the Clutha County Council, and Mr Webb, thanking the speaker and urging the retention of the Monowai scheme, was carried unanimously.