TOTAL DE-RATING

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 636, 14 September 1933, Page 6

TOTAL DE-RATING

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION SEEKS SUPPORT OF ROTORUA COUNTY DISCUSSED BY COUNCIL A letter received by the Rotorua County Council yesterday at its monthly meeting from the provineial secretary, New Zealand Farmers' Un- 1 ion, Auckland, urged upon the council the advisability of reconsidering the question of the complete derating of farm lands. It was claimed that the amount levied by motor taxation was more than suffieient to cover the amount levied by county councils for maintenance of roads. Cr. H. P. Ford : The trouble- seems to be that the motor taxation is r.ot being allocated to the purpose for which it was originally intended. It certainly seems that something should be done, but I don't think we v/ill get total derating. The clerk said that the council had previously resolved that all the proceeds from motor taxation should be used enti' ely for the maintenance of r.Miuis. Cr. J. F. Martin considered t'.at so.ne jr.ust be given county I'fUipr-ils regaL'ding the maintenance of main highways. Unless this was dc ae ' county councils would eventually go out of existence. The chairman, Mr. H. P. Ford, considered that until an opportunity "'"'as given to fvnd out if the revenue fiom motor taxation would be suffieient for tna maintenance and construcfion of roads ii would not be reasonable to artive at a further decision regnrding total derating. It was decided to reply to the Farmers' Union pointing out tbe council's previous recommendation and stating that until this was given effect to it did nct consider that any good purpose would be served by making further rceommendations regarding derating.