MIXED RECEPTION

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 29, 26 January 1933, Page 7

MIXED RECEPTION

STRATFORD COUNTY PROPOSAL PAYING FARMERS’ RATES The proposal of the Stratford County Council that the Government be asked to pay the local body rates levied on farms for the year and to waive the land tax met with a mixed reception, stated the county clerk, Mr. C. Campbell, at the monthly meeting of. the council. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., wrote that he was in receipt of a communication from the council in which it was suggested that the Government should pay all farmers’ rates for the curreift year and at the same time waive the payment, of the land tax. “I also note,’’ continued the letter, “that you refer to the fact that the Bank of New Zealand has 1 offered to lend the necessary money. In reply, I regret that 1 cannot support the suggestion that money should be borrowed for the purpose mentioned. If this course were adopted, it simply means that interest and capital would have to be repaid from other sources. In any case the amount in question would give relatively very little relief to farmers. I understand that most of the Taranaki county councils are largely in credit and if this is correct could not the counties themselves remit the rates or at least a portion of them? I shall be glad of your reply and would then be only too pleased to give the matter further careful consideration.’’ The chairman, Cr. T. R. Anderson, questioned the statement in regard to the county councils of Taranaki being largely in credit. Mr. W. J. Polson, M.P., wrote that he need hardly say that he was in sympathy with anything that would give practical relief to the farming community. “I am not satisfied,” he continued, “that the proposals made bv the associated banks are either adequate or satisfactory. The effect would be to, put the country further in thrall to the banks without giving any real assistance to thousands of struggling farmers. The Government unfortunately is in the position of facing a heavy deficit which cannot be met by further taxation. Probably, it will be unable to collect much land tax and I agree that the land tax should be abolished and that it is a good time to do it. Rating relief is equally essential, but it should be on sound lines obtained from a special fund and not from general taxation. “I have fought for years for derating of farm lands as a right and not as a concession, and I want that principle maintained. Therefore I cannot support the council’s resolution.” The county clerk said that the proposal had met with a mixed reception. The two members for the district (Stratford and Egmont) did not favour it. Cr. S. Pitt said that in view of the relief accorded farmers by the raising of the exchange rate, it was a question as to whether the proposal should be proceeded with. The recent action of the Government, however, had shown that the council was justified in asking tor relief on behalf of the farmers, and it was gratifying that the relief had been more than the council had proposed. He considered the matter would now be left in abeyance. Cr. L. Bunn said that it had been stated at a meeting at Hidhurst at which Mr. Polson had spoken that a new rate of exchange and the waiving of the land tax would assist both big and small land holders, but he considered that such was not the case. Cr. T. T. Murray said that he had understood Mr. Polson to have said at a recent meeting in the district that while he was not actually opposed to relief in the form proposed, he had considered that if the council withheld its proposal, a bigger amount of relief would be secured. ' It appeared, continued Cr Murray, that in the south, counties had made a joke of the whole thing, which he considered, was proof, that those councillors jesting about the proposal were not feeling the pinch. He would like to take some of those men out to the back country and show them some of the land that the settlers were slaving hard to keep in decent order. Cr. Hancock said that Mr. Polson was “looking after himself” in supporting the proposal for the waiving of the land tax. He contended that the large majority of farmers did not| pay a land tax and that any relief in that direction would solely affect the large land holder. “Mr. Polson should look after the ma-

jority and not the few,” he said. Cr. L. Bunn: We should see that the majority look after him at the next election. Cr. Pitt said that councillors should be glad that the farmer -would be able to get relief. It was up to the men on the land to make an effort to pay their rates in view of the fact that the assistance being accorded them was coming from all sections of the community. Ha estimated the new rate of exchange would add about Id. per lb to the price of butter-fat. Cr. Hancock said that the relief had come too «late for any help in paying this year's rates. ’There was also the question of the increased price of slag. The farmer would have to pay more for it. The chairman, Cr. T. R. Anderson: A good job, too. Cr. Hancock: Super will be up, too. The Chairman: Only to the extent of the sulphur and that is only five per cent.