THAMES BOROUGH

Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 July 1934, Page 5

THAMES BOROUGH

RATING PROBLEM,

THAMES, Wednesday

The rating problem at Thames is again to the.fore, with the end of the commissioner’s term in sight. A conference has been arranged for Thursday next at Wellington, between representatives of the borough, the advisory committee, the loans creditors’ committee, and tho Department of Internal Affairs, with the commissioner, Mr C. L. Grange, present, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. J. A. Young, presiding. Tho Thames Borough Commissioner Act expires at the end of April next, and it has been suggested that the conference considers steps to promote furtEfery legislation -this session for the affirm control of the town in view of Parliament is unlikely to meet again before that date. The heavy burden of rating since the commissioner assumed control, and the recent developments regarding wholesale revaluations of property, are threatening financial disaster to the town, and have been tho subject of repeated protest and warning by ratepayers. The suggestion has now been received that an independent tribunal be appointed to investigate the -whole position. The Thames Chamber of Commerce, at its annual meeting to-day, discussed a proposal to call another public meeting of protest, also to request the appointment of a Royal Commission, but decided there was insufficient time. A motion was carried unanimously that rating relief was imperative, and that no legislation of any kind affecting the rating position' of Thames or the reappointment of the commissioner be put through without reference to the ratepayers. The meeting decided to forward a copy of the resolution to the Minister of Internal Affairs and Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P.—(P.A.)