"SHOVE UP THE RATE"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 304, 17 September 1920, Page 6

"SHOVE UP THE RATE"

CANDID ADVICE PROM A MINISTER,

Candid advice was given by the Minis-, ter of Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates) yesterday to a North Otago deputation, 'which asked for certain road grants for expenditure in Waitaki' county. Tho deputation was accompanied by thn Hon. E. P Lee (Minister of Justice), whose district was affected. After tho deputation had presented its claims, Mr. Coates asked what rates the county was paying, ■ n'nd was informed that the rate was ona penny in tho pound. Mr. Coates; Bless my soul! You can: go another 'penny or twopence. Why. not shove up Hid rate, and do the work., Mr. Lee assured his colleague that the, valuations had always been kept up in; Waitaki county. They went up pounds; per acre last year. Mr. Coates: What about tackling some of these works with special rates? The members of the deputation were sure that this could not bo done. Mr. Coates: Well, I may tell you quits eandidlv that you are not going to metal votir roads out of Government money. Pound for pound is tho best we can do. The Minister suggested that votes for works that were not urgent might be transferred from ono riding to another, and was assured that local jealousies would prevent this being done. Eventually, Mr. Coates disniifscd the deputation with a statement that he would do the best ho could, and that in any case the Waitaki estimates had already been eomniled.