LAND SCHEMES

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3665, 8 February 1940, Page 5

LAND SCHEMES

MINISTER OF FINANCE REPLIES RATES UNSATISFACTORY The reply of the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, to representations regarding the rates on small farm and native development schemes was considered to be evasive and unsatisfactory by the Northern King Country executive of the Farmers’ Union. The letter stated that many of the native development schemes had not yet reached the stage of being able to meet all working expenses, but arrangements had been made in numerous instances whereunder a proportion of the revenue was devoted to the payment of rates. Much the same position obtained in connection with small farm schemes, and where occupiers had been placed upon the land, these occupiers were also entered on the valuation roll and were therefore liable for all rates. Furthermore, in cases where land was being farmed as a block by the Government and showed a profit, a grant in lieu of rates was usually made. The policy would be continued, and it was not proposed to make any special arrangements for direct payments to local bodies on the lines suggested by the Farmers' Union.

Speakers said that the rates paid were pnly a very small proportion of those which would be due if the Crown honoured normal obligations, and that six-year-old schemes in full production paid no rates. Waitomo was a very much affected county, but there were in it no occupiers liable for these rates. These matters are to be pursued further.