COUNTY RATES

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21038, 14 February 1940, Page 4

COUNTY RATES

DEFAULT TOO FREQUENT

WAIKATO COUNCIL’S WARNING STRONGER ACTION DECIDED With several thousands of pounds outstanding in arrears of rates, many of which date back several years, the Waikato County Council decided yesterday to take definite action against defaulting ratepayers. Action will be concentrated on ratepayers who have allowed rates to become outstanding for some time without making any effort to clear up the deficit. The county clerk, Mr C. F. E. Barton, was instructed to prepare lists of defaulting ratepayers in each riding so that members could recommend against whom definite action should be taken. The chairman, Mr J. A. Sampson, in recommending more definite action, said the county had in the past adopted the policy of exerting “all possible compulsion on ratepayers without taking extreme action.” The position was going from bad to worse, however, and between £7OOO and £BOOO was always outstanding. There were numbers of ratepayers who would have to know definitely that they must pay up or get out of the county. Feeling of Apathy There was a feeling among a number of ratepayers that the payment of rates did not mater. “As far as I can see,” said Mr G. M. Watt, “the man who does not pay his rates has a better car than the man who pays.” Mr R. G. Young said he had been told by solicitors that the collection of money was becoming more difficult all the time. He knew of a case where an order on a dairy cheque had left a farmer with nothing and when the solicitor became acquainted with that fact, he had returned £5 to the farmer. Mr Young thought the difficulty in securing money was a symptom of the times. Mr Sampson added that there might be some ratepayers in that position, but there wefe many who would not pay if they they thought they could “dodge” it, even if they had the means to meet their rates. Use of The Roads Mr G. H. Walter said he knew of a woman who had not paid any rates all the time he had been a member of the council. Surely, he said, she could have spared £1 at some time during that period. Mr P. E. Dingle said each member would know of the genuine cases in his own riding and could make recommendations accordingly. Mr Barton, the clerk, said there were numbers of ratepayers against I whom the county had secured juag- ! ment but no further action had been ' taken and no effort had been made by the offenders to pay. The amount ; involved was considerable. “We cannot go on in this way indefinitely,” said Mr Sampson. “The ! spirit is creeping in among ratepayers ! that ethers are not paying so why I should they? We have the name of I letting ratepayers off if they can pul ! up a good story,” he added. Mr Walter added that defaulting ; ratepayers were using the roads as j much as other ratepayers, who, con- j sequently, had to shoulder the bur- j den of upkeep. i