BOROUGH RATES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 601, 4 August 1933, Page 4

BOROUGH RATES

The ratepayers of Rotorua have every reason for satisfaction at the announcement that a decrease of 5 per cent. will be possible in this year's consolidated rate. This has been made possible by general economies which have extended into prac- j tically every department of the j borough administration and in ! spite of the fact that there has j been an increased allocation to j the Publicity and Amusement or j Advancement Committee and an j increase in the fire prevention j rate. In comparison with the major- ; ity of boroughs in New Zealand ; the general rate in Rotorua is already low and the fact that a reduction is possible should place ratepayers in an advantageous position. It is an encouraging beginning for the administration of I the new council which since it j took office, has shown considerable zeal in evolving an economy policy. There is no reason why the efficiency of the administration should not be maintained, in spite of the economies which have been made,N although it must be realised that there is very little to come and go on in a number of directions.. In order to make it possible to reduce the consolidated rate, the Works Committee has very considerably j curtailed its programme; this has been made possible to a large extent by the availability of unemployed labour but it should be realised that this cannot cpntinue indefinitely. Nevertheless relief is being afforded at a time when it is most needed and will make some contribution at least toward relieving the general burden under wfiich the taxpaying community generally is labouring.