RATE TO BE STRUCK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 2, 31 August 1945, Page 5

RATE TO BE STRUCK

COUNTY HOSPITAL LEVY

NOTICE OF MOTION FAILS

A notice of motion for the rescinding of the resolution already on the books: that ilie Council strike the 1945-46 Hospital rate was 1 defeated at the Whakatane County Council meeting by seven votes to two. The majority definitely favoured awaiting the outcome of the present agitation by the Counties* Association which will be dependant in turn upon Government action following the findings of the select parliamentary committee.

Cr McCrcady who moved the notice of motion contended that the Council should have followed Monganui's lead in the first place. It would have been a great factor in bringing pressure to bear upon those in authority. Tlierc had been no provision in the budget for any assistance in this direction and for this reason it was obvious that farmers should make a united stand now. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Farmers' Union which inaugurated the fight, it was surely now the responsibility of the local bodies representing the ratepayers to do something,

The seconder was Cr Burt who urged the Council should at 'east endeavour to keep the rate down to last year's level. This, he could be done by transferring money from other funds which were now standing in credit. It would not make a great deal of difference to any of the Council's undertakings. The Chairman: The roads will suffer. Cr Burt: But what are we doing in any case now. We're only putting the grader over them. Cr Wardlaw: If there's to be any relief it has got to come cither from the Hospital Board or from the Government. Cr McCracken thought that the rate, should be struck and the Government given the opportunity to do something. If it failed then he J i would favour .drastic steps when it came to striking the rate next year.

Cr Butler declared himself strongly averse to the appropriation of money from any other of the Council's funds. Such action would not

help the ratepayers to realise the true position. It was'merely cushioning them against the difficulties which they must inevitably face.

The resolution on being put to the meeting was lost and the striking of the rate for the current year confirmed.