PROTEST BY CR. SHEAT

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1935, Page 7

PROTEST BY CR. SHEAT

OBJECTION TO REMARKS COUNCIL’S BRIEF ADJOURNMENT. WITHDRAWAL ACCEPTABLE. EGMONT COUNTY RATE QUESTION. The Egmont County Council meeting yesterday was adjourned by the chairman, Cr. W. C. Green, for 36 minutes after Cr. W. A. Sheat had refused to withdraw certain remarks. On the council resuming the remarks were withdrawn by Cr. Sheat to the satisfaction of the council, and the council proceeded with its business. The incident arose when a resolution was before the council confirming the striking of the general rates as previously adopted. Cr. Sheat said he intended formally to record his vote against the resolution as a protest against the fixing of the rates at the amount proposed in the resolution. He considered the proposed rate would have been unnecessary but for the policy of the council. The chairman: That is all right. You can vote against it, but do not take up all the time of the council. Speak to the motion. Cr. Sheat was proceeding to discuss the matter when the chairman again objected to his speaking on a subject that would be brought up later. “I am going to say what I want to say,” declared Cr. Sheat, who reiterated his protest. He alleged that 85 per cent of the ratepayers were having their rates' increased to benefit 15 per cent. In some ridings there would not be sufficient money out of general rates to do the road work necessary, he said. It was a waste of time and benzine to go over the roads to see what was to be done if they were going to give the money away for relieving payers of special rates of their obligations. No alternative means of getting the council out of its difficulty had been investigated. SHORTAGE FOR MAINTENANCE. Cr. J. S. Tosland added his protest at general rates being taken to relieve special rates. This would leave a definite shortage for road maintenance, he said. Cr. E. A. Cpllins: We might as well accept it. • Cr. Sheat said he was only recording his protest. He alleged the council was deliberately taking money out of the pockets of one section of ratepayers to benefit another section. The chairman: Please withdraw that, or you cannot take any further part in the meeting. Cr. Sheat: What have I got to withdraw. The chairman: It is an unkind statement of Cr. Sheat to say we deliberately did this to benefit someone else. We are all working collectively for the benefit of the ratepayers, and I ask you to withdraw that reflection cast upon the rest of the councillors. Cr. Sheat: What statement am I asked to withdraw? It is true that the council is taking money from one section to benefit another. ‘ ■ The chairman: You said “deliberately.” After further discussion Cr. Sheat said: I will say, then, that the councillors did not know what they were doing! Cr. Collins: I think it is time we dropped this wrangling. If we are going to have a free battle I am prepared to have it, but let us have it in committee. We are the laughing stock of. the country. Is it doing any good opposing the general rate? WITHDRAWAL FAVOURED. Cr. Tosland: I think Cr. Sheat might with honour withdraw the word “deliberate,” although he might still feel it to be deliberate. The chairman: If Cr. Sheat is determined that he will not withdraw the word “deliberate” I am determined he will not take part in the meeting. Cr. Sheat: I withdraw as far as the chairman: is concerned. . The chairman: I ask.you once more to withdraw the remark concerning the general rate. I will give you a free “go” later. Your own riding members agreed to the IJd general rate. We are quite prepared for you to alter it if you think it too high. We are not going to force any rate on you if you do not want it. Cr. Sheat: I say I cannot believe that the majority of councillors were not fully conscious -of the effect of what they were doing. I will not withdraw. This is not Italy. The chairman: And you are not Mussolini!

The chairman thereupon adjourned the council for half an hour.

“I am. again going to ask Cr. Sheat to •withdraw,” said Cr. Green on resumption. "I am going to put the onus on the council of saying whether Cr. Sheat should withdraw that reflection he has cast on the council as a whole. Cr. Sheat: I do not want my action to be misinterpreted. I made no reflection on councillors. I merely said what I believed to be true, but seeing the attitude you are taking up I will withdraw the remark. Cr. Collins said it had never been the intention of one riding to say what rate the other should strike. The chairman' then put it to the council to decide whether it would accept Cr. Sheat’s offer to withdraw,. but the vote was against acceptance. . , “Very well, Cr. Sheat cannot take any further part in the meeting,” said the chairman. Cr. R. Cassie said he did not accept the withdrawal because Cr. Sheat’s remark suggested he had acted for his own particular benefit. Cr. Sheat: Well, I cannot help that. It is the truth. If it is not, show me where I am wrong. Harmony was finally restored and the meeting proceeded with the business after Cr. Sheat had said that he would say that the councillors had fixed the general rate consciously, knowing full well what the effect of the action would be. The chairman: Well, I accept it. Cr. Sheat says the council did not do it "deliberately.” Cr. Sheat proposed an amendment, “that the general rate be reduced by l-Bd,” as an indication that ' the rate should not be struck. The amendment lapsed and tire motion to confirm the rate was carried. Cr. Tosland added that he could not hold up the striding of the general rate, but he still objected to the payment of interest on special loans out of general rate*. NGAMOTU WOMEN’S GOLF WEEK-END L.G.U. MATCH. Following are the best cards returned in the week-end L.G.U. match at Ngamotu:— Miss P. Wylds 112-36—76 Miss H. Rollo 94-12—82 Miss W. Webster 120—35—85 WESTOWN POSTPONEMENT. Owing to the rough weather the Westown Golf Club’s women’s qualifying round was postponed until next Tuesday. The draw will remain the same.