STRONG PROTEST

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 162, 20 May 1940, Page 5

STRONG PROTEST

THE RURAL HOUSING SCHEME NOT WANTED BY TANEATUA FARMERS TIME NOT OPPORTUNE "That this meeting of ratepayers suggests that the Rural Housing Scheme contemplated! by the County Council be dropped until more favourable times present themselves, and further that in the event of its recon* sideration in the future, the rate payers be given an opportunity to discuss the matter and giver voice to their opinion." Such was the context of a motion passedj unanimously at a meeting of ratepayers at Taneatua last Fri--day evening, when the whole question was thoroughly discussed. The general opinion was expressed that the method "introducing the scheme by levy ■of a rate over the whole county - (whether collected or not) was unfair, and speakers asked why "the present Housing Department could not administrate the project in much the same way as houses were built in town areas. Mr B. F. Grace president of the local branch of the Farmers' Union, presided and in opening the meeting said he was in favour of farmers and their workers having good liouses, but personally could not see why the local authority should have to stand guarantee. He invited the county member for the district, Mr G. McCready, to address those present . Money at 3y 2 Per cent. "The Rural Housing Act was passed by the Government at its last session," said Mr McCready, "and the gist of the scheme is to make available to the County authorities money for the erection of houses on farms at a rate of 3% per cent, of which Vz per cent will be set aside for administration by the local body. To meet this the Council will strike a rate over the Avhole County on the unimproved value, although they do not anticipate ever having to collect ft, it is a well known fact that once a rate is struck it is extremely hard ever to overcome." The Council he said, would have •complete control, and in his opinion it had its hands too full already to be loaded with a further responsibility. It was not doing justice to its present work, and he realised this although he was a me.nber. 'Criticising the scheme, he said that "it was based on the security which could be put forward and therefore would block the man who was really hard up from obtaining any benefit, but this man nevertheless was 'expected to stand the liability of a rate in order that his more fortunate neighbours might have good houses. It was not fair, and although Tie favoured the idea, he was in strong opposition to the way it was being done. He maintained that farmers throughout the County •should have been given the opportunity of discussing it before it was introduced.

Must Take Precedence. In answer to a question, he said 'that the security would take the form of a first mortgage on the property, and that any other claims would take second place. The housing mortgage would haA'e to take precedence. He asked what experience a County .Council Avould have for administration of such a scheme, and reminded those present of the neAV hospital rate which Avas "being struck for a £4000 loan which iwas only a start of a much bigger project. < ( Mr Grace: "Why can't they do it •km the same basis as the State Advances for houses built in boroughs" A -yoice: Another little nail in the •cocVy's coffin! Mr BradshaW contended that the v' land Avas already burdened enough Avith rates, and asked Avhat guarantee was there that the rate would not be increased in a time of emergency? Not so Serious. Mr Ruddick opined that the ■scheme Avas not so serious as it looked. The farmers had been agitating lor better houses and in response th'e Government had brought down the idea which they had been discussing. There Avas a cry for increased production, and therefore it was expected to assist to this end. Good accommodation Avas very necessary in the country, but just now he Avondered if the time Avas opportune. Mr BroAvn: Its no good, thinking of any fresh rate. Let us reject it.

Mr McCready asked liow the Government expected the county to ad-> ministrate the new scheme, when it already accused it of being unable to control its affairs efficiently, in its arguments for the consolidation of local bodies.' Mr McGougan's Opinion. Mr McGougan Avho arrived late, said the Council was not endeavouring to foist anything on the ratepayers. It was necessary to get the consent of the Mortgagee before anything could be done, and therefore the farmer had his own protection. If a house was desired they could simply take advantage of the advance, and the Council held first mortgage. That was fair enough. Regarding the rate, he said it was not correct that the Council was going to strike it. It was almost impossible and there was very little likelihood of it ever being collected. It was merely a safeguard, such as the Electric Power Board introduced it its inauguration. County and Borough Houses. The difference between the Government houses in the Borough and ;hose contemplated under the scheme, was that the houses in town were merely rental propositions whereas the proposed houses in tha bounty would become the farmers property as he paid them off. Personally he thought it a very good thing, though he felt now, with the jost of building materials, and the uncertainty of outlook that perhaps it had better be held over. Many farmers wanted decent houses however and he was sure the Council staff could handle the Avork without jxtra cost. Mr McCready said there was no lisputing that the rate had to be >truck. It had been advertised in the BEACON, and he took the strongest jxception to Mr McGougan's statement that the Council did not in:end to strike it. He may have meant collect it," but this was an entirely lifferent matter. If the scheme was jo wonderfully fool proof, he asked, why strike a rate at all. The Council he maintained was not doing its ob properly now and farmers vere not getting full, value for their rates —liow did they know what this was likely to grow into. How could :he County engineer be expected to supervise house building all over the County, and look after his own job as well.

Breeze Develops. Mr McGougan resented the remark by the last speaker ancl asked him if he didn't believe him. Mr McCready: You have been putting doubts on my remarks about levying a rate. Mr McGougan: I deny that. I have only presented the case. A Avarm cross argument tleveloped, till Mr McCready offered to put it to the meeting as to Avhether or not the statement had been made. The Chairman called the speakers to the point and the business Avas resumed. Mr McGougan added that he Avould like to say that as far as he knew the Council Avas not likely to make any attempt to collect the rate. It Was Avrong to think that it Avas considering anything to be foisted upon the ratepayers. Question of 'Thinking.' Mr Ruddick then rose to move a resolution, and by Avay of introduction said lie did not think there Avas serious intended. Mrs Franklin: Thinking never got anyone anywhere. Mr Ruddick: If you don't think you may just as Avell not liave a head Mrs Franklin; Well alright, you go ahead Avith this scheme, and When I get a demand for Fhe rate, I'll 'think' Avhether I'll pay it. Mr J. ShaAv said there was no comparison betAveen the building of houses in toAvns Avhere so many Avere merely Avanted for rent. That sort of thing could not be introduced in the country. Mr Ruddick then moved the motion set out above, which Mr Santon seconded, and Avhich was carried unanimously. Mr McGougan: r 'l think that that was the attitude the Council intended taking up in any case."