RATE PAYMENTS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1931, Page 2

RATE PAYMENTS

10 PER. CENT. PENALTY

SUSPKNS lON SUGGKSTKD

WELLINGTON, January 19

The Government has promised to consider the suggestion that local bod-

| ies should suspend the 10 per cent. ! penalty lor default- in payment of J rates, in order to assist in relieving j distress. The suggestion was made by Air W. H. Feild, M R. for Otaki. in a Drier to the Acting-Prime Alinister (the Hon. E. A. Ransom). Air Field considers that a far more equitable penal tv would he a heavy rate of interest, even HI per cent., on the amount of the rate from the penalty date. ‘•Your proposal that the Govern--1 went ask local bodies to suspend the

application for the penalty rate appears to have a good deal to comnicnO it,” said Mr Ransom in his reply; “hut when it, is remembered that tlu Government adopts to a large extent both the penalty and the rebate system in connexion with payments dm to the Crown, it could hardly tender such advice unless it also granted the concession, and this would not b< practicable, as the conditions of payments arc fixed by statute. “Your suggestion that the Govornto extend leniency wherever petiole

mout make an appeal ±o mortgagees is also worthy of consideration, and it will lie placed before the Right Hon. the Prime Minister on' Ins return to Wellington.