TARANAKI LOCAL BODIES

Taranaki Daily News, 19 April 1934, Page 12

TARANAKI LOCAL BODIES

MODEL BY-LAWS DISCUSSED. RELIEF ON RURAL RATING. The quarterly meeting of the Taranaki Local Bodies’ Association was held at Eltham yesterday, Mr. J. B. Murdoch presiding. There were also present Messrs. A. L.' Campbell (Eltham county), F. Mourie and E. Long (Waimate West county), N. R. Cleland (Whangamomona county), R. Stuart (Inglewood county), J. E. Campbell (Hawera borough), H. C. Taylor and C. Campbell (Stratford county), W. Hall (Taranaki county), E. W. Rogers (Clifton county), F. Lawrence (Inglewood county). The question of model by-laws was raised by Mr. C. Campbell, who said the present by-laws were out of date and it was not possible to rescind or amend them without the unanimous consent of the local bodies which originally adopted them. It was suggested that the Act could be amended to allow individual local bodies to make alterations where necessary. Changes in t’"' 1 by-laws were necessary as a loss of revenue was being experienced in several directions. The chairman said it was difficult for each local body to have individual bylaws and any changes would have to be taken by all local bodies concerned. This would be an expensive matter. It had been considered by the executive that the adoption of new by-laws was not necessary. He himself did not think the time opportune for a change. Mr. A. L. Campbell said the matter had

been fully discussed before and it was unanimously decided not to proceed further with the by-laws. It was decided to take no action.

A reply was received from the Minister of Finance relative to the association’s request for relief on rural rates by way of 12i per cent, rebate. The reply pointed out that already local bodies were receiving concessions by way of reduced interest charges. The chairman said the lesser interest rates on loans would not amount to 12J per cent, of the rates. However, he did not think it was opportune at present to ask for more from the Consolidated Fund. This would only result in increased taxation on the general ratepayers.