THE HOSPITAL RATE AGAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 25, 29 July 1939, Page 8

THE HOSPITAL RATE AGAIN

(To the Editor.)

.Sir, —I observe that during the debate on the Address in Reply, Mr. Massey, M.P. for Franklin, has been "letting himself go" about the hospital rates. Unlike Mr. Jull he does not say that the tax is paid exclusively by farmers, but by "farmers and property owners." The position needs to be overhauled says Mr. Massey, but he does not state in*what direction, nor does he indicate how the requisite revenue should be obtained. A few years ago the Farmers' Union demanded derating.. Finding that rather too large an order, however, they and their friends are now advocating derating in part, and this notwithstanding that, the magnificent highways either made or in course of construction must necessarily enhance the -value of the land. The demand for derating would be less audacious if the genuine farmer got the benefit of it, but we know that the land speculator is the "robber who takes all that is left." ■

In this connection may I give partijculars of an actual case which came ! under my notice recently? A, a farmer, sold his property to B, a large sum being paid down. Four substantial instalments were to be paid quarterly, the balance remaining tin mortgage. When the second instalment fell due, B had transferred to C, and when the third instalment fell due D had acquired the property, and the original vender tells me that he expects that there will be another transfer before the fourth instalment falls due! The property in question was used partly for the raising of stock and partly for dairying purposes, but what care the people who traffick in this way for the raising of stock or production of butter or cheese? Of course the final transferee will probably come to a Court of Review in due course, and will complain that he is "up against it." This is the kind of trafficking that is going j on under a Labour Government. Never! once has the Farmers' Union con- j demned the practice/ and for all their i friends in Parliament have to say, the evil does not exist. Herein lies thej cause of unemployment, and if the i politicians fail to face the evil as it ought to be faced, all our so-called, up-to-date legislation will be merely I sounding brass and tinkling cymbals j It is to be hoped, however, that Parlia- j ment will give no hearing whatever to i the daring suggestion that these | speculators should be relieved of rates. —I am, etc., CITIZEN.