CATCHMENT RATING

Chronicle (Levin), 21 May 1946, Page 4

CATCHMENT RATING

-Press. Association

Beards.Urge Uniform Charge - of Gne Farthing FIRST DOMINION CONFERENCE

By "Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, May 21. Proposals to introduce a limited. uniform general rate of i-d in the £1 on the capital value was discussed at the flrst big Dominion confer-* ence of the New Zealand Catchment Board this morning. Some dele- ! gates objected to the fact that [legislation would limit the rate to\ ! six years, and would require boards •to make a land classification "duriing that psriod. ! As contemplated in the legislal tion, the rate would be only a tem- ! porary measure, said Mr. J. R. Hair, 'of Poverty Bay.v Boards should have permanency to enable them to i carry out the work without the hindrance of a break. The public fooked on boards as glorifxed river boards, but_ this was only part of the boards' jobs, said Mr." J". T. Heatheley, Manawatu , 'River and Soil Conservation Council. probably the most important side of their work as conservation would affect the whole community. He felt a small general rate was best and fairest. i Dr. P. R. Woodhouse, of South Canterbury, said a small general I rate was favoured, but there should ;be limitations on the way the money was spent. The six-year limitation proposed by the Govern.ment while classifications were be- | ipg done was unfortunate, and counties could not be blamed for objection to an unrestricted flat rate. He suggested that within the farthing rate a minor works and t plant rate of one-sixteenth of^ a penny each be permitted. ] Hawke's Bay opposed a general ; rate, said Mr. C. Lassen. Boards would not be bound to raise the full farthing, said Mr. J. Dennis, of Southland. _His board proposed a levy of one-sixteenth. i The conference decided to ask • the Government to proceed with. ; legislation for a farthing rate.