A STAGGERING LOAD ON RATEPAYERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 89, 6 July 1927, Page 10

A STAGGERING LOAD ON RATEPAYERS

METHOD OF SUBSIDY PROTEST FROM HUNUA “The present method of subsidising rates for county roads places a staggering load on the settlers who have no metalled roads, and who should receive more than Is OAd in the pound when others are receiving 55,” is the attitude of the Hunua Ratepayers’ Association, which has approached the Government on the matter. “We honestly believe that high rates are keeping the average farmer back more than anything else,” writes the association. “The Hunua Riding (Franklin County) rates have risen 350 percent, in 12 years. The settlers away front metalled roads have to plough through mud deeper and deeper each year. “The Act limiting the subsidy to £2,500 for any one county should be amended.” Last year the Hunua riding collected £2.358 in rates, and the subsidy was £lll, or Is OJd in the pound. Over the whole of the Franklin County £23,688 was collected in rates, the subsidy being £2,500, equal to about 2s Id in the pound. Had the county been small enough to collect £IO,OOO in rates it would still have been entitled to £2,500 subsidy,, or 5s in the pound. The Ratepayers* Association considers the present position to be inequitable, and anomalous, and is asking the ! Government to reconsider it.