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Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1922, Page 2

One outcome of the Local Bodies’ Finance Act is likely to be increased rating and the striking and collecting of rates ns early as possible in the financial year. Many folk at present hold back their rates till the end of the financial year. This is not good business for the local body. An ovdraft is substituted for the rates not received, and the local body has to pay interest. Heavier responsibilities are being placed upon the local bodies now than merely attending to roads and bridges. The local bodies have now to he paid promptly’or the Hospital Board will charge interest on unpaid amounts. If the local bodies contributing to hospitals and social welfare have to pay promptly it is clear the ratepayers of the district must pay rates as promptly for from th e ratepayers come the money required. A proposal is afoot to give a discount of 3 per cent on rates paid within a month of being struck. This will become a necessity now if tho rates are to be collected promptly, or the ratepayers will require to be sued in a wholesale way. But the taxation will have to go up because existing overdrafts are to lie paid off within a limited period, and that will not he possible without increased revenue. With a limit of hank overdraft in the future, if new works are pressing, more money must be found, so that the banking account can be kept within the limits set bv the law and the bankers. As regards members of local bodies, a greater personal responsibility is thrown upon them in regard to the finances and the financial returns to be made at the end of the year. Parliament is making it more difficult to get the best men of tie community to come forward and assist in local control. Members of Parliament do not surround themselves with such embarrassing legislation in their own sphere, and it would be well if the aspect referred to were reviewed or seats in local bodies will go abegging-

The swamp lands of Westland appear to have caught the eye of the Minister of Public Works during his late tour south. This, is quite satisfactory, for we regard the swamp lands of Westland with great favor. Wherever swamp lands are being brought into profit—Kokatuhi, Koiterangi, Inter-Wanganui etc.—th e land is proving of good quality. It is cheaper and quicker to bring the swamp land into profitable use, than it is to reduce a forest clad region to grjaiss paddocks. There are great stretches of swamp lands in Westland. Th c TCokatnhi and Koiterangi areas are well known There is a large area at Mikonui. ffari Hari and T.a Fontaine swamps are said to be of exceptional quality. Of the Rotokino swamp, Mr L. Northcroft after inspecting it, said it was good enough to produce the best wheat crops. And so on south. What can be done then to turn this asset into a producing state? Private enterprise has done 11 good deal and is reaping the returns. The swamp lands within the Crown areas are not being taken up ns they should, An attempt was mude with inadequate drainage at La Fontaine, but because of the lack of drainage the settlement was not a suwst, A

survey has been made with the object of having another try—but the preliminaries are very long drawn out. Surveys are proceeding at Kokatahi, and there is the promise of a large scheme being promoted. It would be interesting to have a drainage survey of the Mikonui swamp and ascertain its possibilities—it :is close at hand and a maiden area. Now that Mr Coates has drawn pointed attention to the matter, it would lie well to follow up the subject and urge some definite policy, so that within a reasonable time something practical would be done to utilise the swamp lands now fallow, but capable of much practical use for fodder production and pastoral activities generally.