NO REBATES

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1932, Page 2

NO REBATES

COUNTY COUNCIL RATES. LEGISLATION EXPIRES. WELLINGTON. April 18. County Councils wore given a good financial lift last year by a special subsidy from the Main Highways Account, enabling county ratepayers to receive a rebate on current rates ol 12J per cent. This was authorised by the I'inance Act, No. 4, which set out clearly that the appropriation from the Highways Fund was to be tor the current >omit- meant the distribution of £250,(XX1 in relief of county ratepayers and nuy criticism from motr-'ists for raiding the petrol tax receipts was thoroughly drowned by the chorus or appioial from hard pressed counties which received a subsidy of 2s fid in the £ on the year’s rate receipts, based on tinpreceding three years. Southland County become entitled to £9OOO subsidy, Wniteniatn County £0220. and ’ Waimniri County £4OOO, these being the highest on the- list. The recent financial statement by the Finance Minister, the Hon. V . Downie Stewart, makes no provision for a renewal of this subsidy during the current, year and members are becoming interested in the matter. In fact, there is a suggestion from the Leader of the Opposition that as considerable lengths of main highways run through boroughs of smaller population than 6000, there should be a special grant to those local authorities.

Reduction by Econom'eS. The only reference to subsidies made by Mr Stewart in the latest statement is to the usual Government subsidy to local bodies which amounts to a total of £125.000. This was taken from the Main Highways Fund last year and the Mjinistcr points out that unless that special legislation is renewed, the amount will become a- liability on the consolidated revenue. It is, however, highly probable that the item will a earn he made a charge against the 3fain Highways Fund. In regard to the larger benefit for the purpose of reducing ratepayers’ payments, it has been ascertained that the Government is definitely of the opinion that it cannot undertake this quarter of a million liability for the present year. County Councils seeking to relieve their ratepayers will be obliged to do so by practising economy and thus reducing the next rate demands.