REBATE ON RATES

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1934, Page 3

REBATE ON RATES

GOVERNMENT ACTION SUPPORTED APPROVAL BY COUNTY COUNCIL. The action of the Government in bringing forward legislation to enable a rebate or refund of 12J per cent, to be given on rates was endorsed by the monthly meeting of the Taranaki County Council yesterday. The council also considered that provision should be made in the Act whereby the 12J per cent, rebate should be allowed on harbour rates, which are levied by harbour boards and collected by county councils, and that it should be credited against the rates payable by ratepayers, who were not at present in a position to meet their rates. Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., is to be asked to support the proposal. A motion to this effect was unanimously carried. The chairman, Cr. S. Vickers, referred to the discussion on the proposed legislation that was taking place in Parliament. It was hard to know who their friends were, he said. Situated as the ratepayers were at present, it was a case of “save us from our friends,” so many confusing arguments had been used. It had been said that many sheep men who did not require assistance would benefit by the concession, but that did not apply to Taranaki or many parts of New Zealand. The sheep farmers throughout the Dominion had been struck heavily for a very long time. In exasperation probably Mr. Coates had finally stated that he might drop the clause. He considered the council should make a definite stand in support of the proposal. and should indicate that in its opinion the 121 per cent, levy should apply to .all rates, whether general rates levied by the council or harbour rates levied by the harbour board and collected by the council. Moreover, all ratepayers, whether able to pay their rates or not, should be credited with the 12J per cent. It would be a great hardship if those not 'in a position to pay were debarred from receiving the 121 per cent, rebate, as it was they who required assistance most. He understood that a section of the Automobile Association took exception to the granting of the rebate on the grounds that it was being taken out of the petrol tax. He did not see any valid reason why the Automobile Asso-

ciation should oppose the rebate, as it must realise that anything that would assist the ratepayers to meet rate obligations would be of benefit to motorists, as it would enable the council to make more funds available for expenditure on the roads. Cr. W. A. Thomas held the opinion that the rebate was not half enough concession to enable ratepayers to meet their obligations. It was something, however, and the council should do its utmost to obtain that something.