PAYMENT OF RATES.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15361, 9 October 1923, Page 6

PAYMENT OF RATES.

DEFAULTERS IN WAIPA. THE POSITION OF SOLDIERS. SOME OTHERS MORE FLAGRANT. A perennial topic with local bodies is the position in regard to rate defaulters. At its meeting yesterday the Waipa County Council had occasion to again discuss the subject. A returned soldier ratepayer of the Newcastle riding, in pointing out his straitened financial circumstances, stated: "With reference to your demand for rates, I can only say that I have not got any money with which to pay rates, and I very much regret to say that there is no prospect of my getting the money off my farm to enable me to'pay—that is, at the present price and terms. I quite realise that this position is entirely unsatisfactory to the Council arid, if anything, more so to myself. I may say that I have now occupied the farm for 31 years. Shortly after occupation l"realiscd it was a futile proposition, and though I might have done wisely to vacate the farm I have, in order to show my appreciation of the Government's good intentions with regard to its soldiers' settlement scheme, stuck to my farm in the hope that the Government would have at a much earlier date revised the price and terms of soldier farms and so made the propositions sound. I understand the Government- now has the matter in hand and no doubt will solve the difficulties in some way."

In discussing the position Cr. Alexander said that there were a great many of the leading citizens of the Waipa County who were in default more than any soldier. The soldier had made sacrifice, but the others had not. He would never agree to the returned men being made an example of while the others were getting off. The big majority of the soldiers had done the right thing. They should not, for the future, have any special treatment though as individuals- their cases might be investigated. The chairman thought that the whole list of defaulters should be put on one sheet and sued.

Cr. Livingstone pointed out that there were cases where returned men should be given consideration, even to the extent of wiping off rates altogether. Cr. Fisher referred to his suggestion made a couple of months ago that those who failed to meet their outstanding rate liabilities and who were in a position to pay should be sued. The chairman and others recognised that discretion should be used. It was resolved to hand dn the list of outstanding rates to the solicitors, with instructions to take proceedings if they were not liquidated within a reasonable period.

Impossible to Pay.

ATe Mawhai settler wrote: "I have not the remotest chance, in my present position, of paying the rates claimed (£ls 9s lOd), and consider that the Lands Department should foot the bill. I came on to this section two years ago, and through the bungling of the department was forced to sit here and do nothing while the previous occupier and his' partner were Involved in a dispute with the department. I was not allowed any stock, as owing to the department's action in sending me here before the previous partnership was dissolved I was nothing but a caretaker without wages. The position is that for two years the department has had the satisfaction of knowing that the place was being well looked after, and improvements effected which in the ordinary course of events would have cost them £4 or £5 a week. The only time they remember my existence is when the interest falls' due, and they profess great surprise that considering all the benefits I have received from the Government I have not paid a penny of interest. I have quoted my case to show you that it is not a question of trying to evade payment, but a case of absolute impossibility to do so."

The latter communication was referred to Cr. Alexander to investigate.