Subsidies on Rates.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 178, 1 August 1904, Page 2

Subsidies on Rates.

LOCAL BODIES FINANCE AND I'OWEUS ACT. INTERESTING DEBATE. At the cjonferanve of delegates o( the New Zealand Counties' Association, the committee appointed to consider the various motions on the older paper relating to the Government subsidies with a view lo bringing up one resolution recommended : —(1) That tho Coveninienl be asked lo abolish the present sytrtcui ol subsidies to local bodies, 'and in lieu thereof to substitute a system of graduated subsidies. ( '2) That the iasis of subsidy be a rate of halfpenny in the pouud on which a subsidy of live shillings in the pound be granted, and an increase of two shillings and sixpemje in the pound subsidy i'or every farthing in the pound of increase in rate. In counties where there are road boaitls, the subsidy to bo paid to both road - boards and counties on the basis ol their respective rates." Tlie adoption of part 1 was moved by Mr Beeroft (Rodney), and seconded iby Mr Renner (Kaikeuia). Mr R, McKenzie, M.li.R. (Colliugwood and Tnkaka) opposed the resolution. It meant that the wealthiest counties, which hud gut all the loads they wanted, wero going to get all tlm subsidies where they had no ii.su for them ; whereas settlers who had no roads in the backblocks I would have no means of getting roads. If the (lovernnient were to act upon that advice it would impose a great deal of hardship upon settlers in the backblocks. l.et them take tho dase of Canterbury, where all tlx? roads ami bridges retjuiivci had been constructed by the C! o,t vernment. (Cries of "No'.") If the 3 proposal were carried, ho for one i (would use every possible eltort to - defeat it after it left that conference. lie should oppose it in the in- » tests of the settlers in the back- - blocks.

Mr Cooper (Mauriceville) was of opinion that the previous speaker had put the cart before tho hot-M'. a^jWaS nE ' ie d ' or by u graduated subsidy wan that those back districts .'.houkl receive more than they had been receiving. It meant to overcome this difficulty, «nd give them proportionate rights upon their larger rate. Mr Alaokgy (Stratford) stated that the object of the gradim-tnl subsidy was to get as much help from the Government as possible for those who helped themselves. As regarded tho South Island, he has been in conversation with South Island people anid he lound that in days gone by they got large subsidies in the South Island from sales of land, and some oi the counties there had aeeumulated from £50,000 to £IOO,OOO. (Dissent.) Some of those wealthy counties struck a® low a rate as one-six-teenth of a farthing in Hie pound. Mr Bell (Inungahua) thought that the passing of tho resolution would result in the Government assisting them. 6

Mr H. ]). J). McLean (Hawko's Hay) said they must nil be aware that the system of grants in aid of rate very often operated very unfairly ; very often they went by 'favour ; »omo got large grunts in aid, and others never got a sixpence. That was a stato of things which had givon rise to great dissatisfaction throughout the colony. It was only natural that the backbloeks should iiave pecuniary assistance over and above what was given to ordinary countios which were settled for a long time. Ho knew of one place which was a very old settlement near a largo town, and it had recently got a £2500 grant. That had given riso 'to great dissatisjacuion. If the new system were introduced, it would s-avo members of the Government a great deal of trouble. Mr D. Chaytor (Marlborough) believed the opinion of the meeting was that tho subsidy should not be on Uio size of tho county, or on the total amount of rates collected, but on the size of the rate struck. If ono district ratty! itself lower than another it should not bo entitled to n larger subsidy. Mr Becrof't (Rodney) explained that the committee was unanimous on the previous night that it was going to help those who rated themselves higher than others. Part 1 of the recomraensatli n of the committee was unanimously adopted. On the motrion for the adoption of (he second resolution, Mr Cooper (Mauriceville) proposed, and Mr Cockburn-Hood (Masterton) seconded m amendment—"That a subsidy of 10s in the £ as at present be gaid on all rates up to id, with a graduated rise of 2s 6d on every extra }d on a rate over that." After a long discussion this was defeated. An amendment by Mr Rcraier, "That in the opinion of the conference districts not served by a railway are entitled to an increased sul>nldy," was defeated. Mr Becroft was allowed to withdraw his motion by consent of tho conference.—Abridged from Now Zealand Times.