CROWN LAND RATES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 77, 17 April 1937, Page 9

CROWN LAND RATES

-Preio AsBooi&tion.}

Reply Sent to County Councils MR. SAVAGE EXPLA1NS

iBy Telograph-

WELLINGTON, Last JNignt. • A short time ago the Prime Minister . stated in an interview that there was no need for anxiety about the Government paying rates on Orown lands, moaning that the Government would gay the rates in municipal districts^ in Which its housing echemes wero being carried out. Some county councils interpreted the statement to iaclude .tho pkyment of rates on all Grown lands To clear up any doubt, the New Zealand OoUnties' Association asked the Prime Minister before he left fo t England whether or not all rates on Crowu properties would be paid by ihe State. In reply the Prime Minister itated: •'From certain letters received from local authorities, it appears that eertain remarks made by me have givea rise to the impression that the Government had deeided to accept full liaibility' f ot rates ou all Orewa properties. That is nOt Sb. "My remarks w«fi directed 16 the position of boroughs in relation to rates on houses erected ia such' boroughs uader the Government housing eeheme and intended to be let, and to the liafeility of the State Advnaces Oorporation for ihe rates where it hereafter mahe* advanees oa ihe sesurity »f privately-owned land. Jn ihe first pkce the Government has agreed in eonnection with Such houses (in the same way that it does with any CroWn-owned property in a borough let on short ten&ncies) to protect the boroughs for the rates in respect of the period dur- . ing Which the houses ate occupied by tenants, and in the latter case the legnl position is that the ©orpdratioa, as mortgagee in respeof of any leans hereafter made by it; is under the same Mability for the rates as is a private mortgage. "There has been no eh&ege in the attitude of the Government in connection with. the payment of county rates on .Grown property." ' .