TOWN OF NO RATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1920, Page 4

TOWN OF NO RATES.

ROTORUA'S PECULIAR POSITION

By T«l«T*ph.—Press inocittion.

Wellington, Lest NigM. The Rotorua Crown Leaset Bill W» introduced by Sovernor-General's mm* sage in the House of Representative* today.

The Hon. D. H. Guthrie said tha Bifl was a corieesaion to the perjirtent demands which had been made fa* nun* years for the freehold of these iaadfc Since 1833 there had been no develop- < went in Rotorua, except with the dill of Ciovertunent money. The towtt should have the opportunity of advanoing m accordance with' its nation*! inportance. The springe and bath* wool* be exempted from the operation of the ■

Mr. (J. Witty (Ricearton) protwted agamat this attempt to filch away from the people one of the greatest national assets, and Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon) also entered his protest on Similar grounds.

■Mr. H. E. Holland (BuUer) laid it would be as well if the House took thii matter in hand and settled it at onca, So far as the Labor Party wag concerned they would fight it at every stage, and would begin there and now. A great asset of_the people of the Dominion was being traded away. The Hon. Sir William Herrlei ttid Rotorua was worse served than airt other town in New Zealand, beeauat no money could be spent in the township unless it came out of the ConaoUdated Fund, for the reason that there *m no rates collectable there. Rotorua wa» not a borough, but if the land was made freehold a borough would be for»«dj and streets, etc., would be kept tip flit of local revenue. The fact W*a ti| the township was getting beyond fl power of the Crown to keep it soilji On a division the Bill was read » first time by 38 Totes to M, and was I* ferred to the Lands Committe*.