INTERRED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 229, 23 October 1940, Page 5

INTERRED

THE RURAL HOUSING SCHEME COUNTY CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT A subject which has stirredi the hearts of most of the ratepayers in the Whakatane County and which was responsible for, hours of discussion at the • council table -whenever the ratepayers! representatives gathered, met its fate yesterday ... Whakatane County will not have the Rural Housing Scheme. In accord Avitli notice tabled al the last council meeting, Cr Mc'Cready moved the rescission of the resolutions favouring the scheme and the Chairman, Cr Burnett, imme"tliately seconded the motion. . JTnOV Criticism. "It lias been the policy of 'this council to take the ratepayers into its confidence," said Cr Burnett, '"and with the Rural Housing Scheme there" was no exception. You will, remember that I agreed to address .meetings to advise the ratepayers of the details of the scheme. I addressed those meetings, at all of which there was an overwhelming against the scheme, "Since then there has been a .good deal of criticism, and I have not escaped that. I have no complaint, but much of it -was unfair and much bordered -on the personal. "The ratepayers have had ample "time to form an Opinion of the scheme," Cr Burnett continued, "and we have had no expressions of .support for it. From that wc have to take it that the ratepayers oppose the scheme. As we have to give it n burial, I suggest that it be as decent an interment as possible. 1 'will therefore put the resolution," Cr McCready added that the Govcrnriient was dodging its responsibilities . The housing ( problem was •essentially a national question and should not have to be shouldered by ;the ratepayers. If the council had adopted, the scheme it would have meant the establishment of a precedent. It was a veryi wise action to •turn the scheme down, and it was -certainly the wish of the ratepayers. The motion was carried without -dissent.