Defaulting Ratepayers.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 188, 11 August 1931, Page 6

Defaulting Ratepayers.

At the Waitotara County Council meeting yesterday, the chairman (Cr. W. Morrison) deplored the fact that there were several ratepayers who did not meet the council with regard to the payment of outstanding rates. The council would not press those who were making a genuine effort to yiy, but what it objected to was leaving amounts to stand over without any explanation whatever. Derating of Lands., An expression of opinion was asked for from the Waitotara County Council yesterday on derating of lauds, the New Zealand Councils’ Association desiring this information. The chairman (Cr. W. Morrison) said that all county councils would favour derating, out it was a question as tu bow the money was to be got. Nobody liked taxation, but it had to be paid. The County Association view was that an

iixtra petrol tax should be levied and spent on roads other than mam highways. If the increase was made gradually the objective of less rates on the and, would ultimately be ach ; eved The council subscribed to this opimsm.

Penalty on Rates. A circular read to yesterday's meeting of the Waitotara County Council from the New Zealand Counties’ Association disclosed the legal position with regard to the 10 per cent, penalty on rates and its application this year. Last year special legislation <va> introduced to allow local bodies which

had already imposed the penalty and did not desire to enforce it, to waive their decision, or postpone it. The Rating Act did not impose any obligation on local bodies to impose the penalty, so there would appear to be no need to continue enforcement of the special legislation as the matter would be in the hands of local bodies themselves this year. The Act said that the penalty could be imposed any time after 6 months and 14 days of date of demand.