SOLDIER SETTLERS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3630, 26 April 1927, Page 2

SOLDIER SETTLERS

AND UNPAID RATES. 7 The unsatisfactory position regarding the non-payment ot' local bodies rales by soldier farmers has been adversely commented upon of lute, and at a recent meeting of the Pohangina County Council it was suggested that county councils concerned should confer on the question. This meeting was held in Feilding on Friday, when Mr F. IV. Arbon (Pohangina) was elected to the chair and gave a brief summary of the position. Mr W. E. Barber said that so far as the Manawatu County was concerned not a great deal of money was outstanding in rates from soldier farmers. They had written off approximately £SOO, but he would be prepared to support any reasonable resolution dealing with the question. \

In the Kiwitea County, Mr McLean said, between 70 per cent.and 80 per cent, of their soldier settlers had paid, and very little trouble had been experienced. Their chief complaint was the slowness of the Government in notifying change of ownership in regard to soldier farms.

A happy position was reveiled in Kairanga County by Mr J. Batchelor, who said that 100 per cent, of the soldier settlers had paid up, while an Oroua councillor, Mr A. Campbell, said that no great trouble had been experienced, but they had a complaint to make in regard to the laxity of the Department in notifying changes of ownership. The amount unpaid in the Rangitikei county was approximately £SOO, Mr A. Simpson said, while Mr Orgias stated that the Pohangina county had been compelled to write off about £2OO, with a further sum still outstanding. Unpaid soldiers’ rates were creating an unfavourable feeling among other ratepayers, who were asking that some fair action be taken.

The meeting discussed the position at some length, and it was resolved that in all cases where freehold land had been purchased for settlement under the Sildiers’ Settlement Act, the Crown should be occupier, owner, or mortgagee, as cm fined by the Rating Act, and be liable for rates accordingly, and that the Minister be urged to bring down legislation during the coming session to give effect to the resolution. It was also decided that the attenion of the Commissioner of Crown Lands be drawn to the inconvenience and loss incurred to local bodies bv the neglect of the Department to promptly advise changes of ownership in connection with the transfer of soldier settlers’ properties.