THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1925. OUTSTANDING RATES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4836, 29 May 1925, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1925. OUTSTANDING RATES.

Tlie question of outstanding rates causes most local bodies grave concern and much thought. At Wednesday’s meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council the question of ways and means of collecting arrears of rates was discussed at considerable length, and the general opinion was expressed that the council was forced to'adopt severe measures in that recovery of arrears is to be made through the Court. It fe as well, to point, out at this juncture that a local body has the same right to sue for arrears of rates as a tradesman has to sue for payment of an account. Local bodies as a rule are : a very tolerant body of men, loathe to taiie extreme measures, and only too willing to meet such ratepayers who have fallen on lean times by reason of loss of stock, damage by floods, and such like. But there is a limit to the resources and patience of . even local bodies, and the phinemuri County Council cannot be blamed for its decision to sue for recovery of rates. It is understood that there is ,a sum approaching £sooo’ standing to the debit of ratepayers- in the council’s books today, of which amount approximately £3500 is recoverable. Is it reasonable for settlers to expect good roads to their sections, adequate drainage facilities, flood protection works, and concrete bridges and culverts when little or no attempt is made to pay their just dues and provide a proportion of the revenue necessary to carry out and maintain such works ? Again, it is ever on the lips of ratepayers th,at the rates in the respective counties or boroughs are too high. Do those ratepayers ever consider that maintenance work must be carried on out of revenue derived from rates if a place is to progress ? One of the surest ways of enabling a local body to reduce its rates rs to pay off all dues promptly, thereby allowing the council to pursue its policy with itp collected revenue instead of having to cramp the work or else levy additional rates to meet bank overdrafts. Another striking reason why county rates should ho paid is tn at, these days, before counties can apply or lift grants or subsidies the Government requires to

be advised what estimated revenue the council intends to spend. Unless rates are paid within a reasonable period it is not possible to supply the information required, and without it the grants or subsidies are not forthcoming ; and settlers wonder why the roads and drains get into a state of disrepair. It is not fair or reasonable to handicap a local body to such an extent. Further, such delinquents are retarding the progress of the whole country, as well as blinding themselves against their own interests. The position of having to sue ratepayers has been forced on the Ohinemuri County Council, and, in the main, the ratepayers have only themselves to thank for the positoin that lias arisen.