SOLDIER SETTLERS’ RATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1921, Page 6

SOLDIER SETTLERS’ RATES.

CANNOT BE COLLECTED FORMER OWNERS SHOULD PAY. The failure of assisted soldier settlers in the Eketahuna district to pay rates was mentioneel at the meeting of the Hawera County Council on Siturday. The Eketahuna*County Council wrote, drawing attention to the fact that it was practically impossible to collect rates from assisted soldier settlers should they not wish to pay. Eketahuna was some £750 to the bad on account of soldier settlers failing to pay rates, and this year had to make special provision when passing the estimated expenditure for this recurring debt. Had the probable deficiency for the current year been provided for as well as the deficiency up to March 31 last, the amount in the £ would have exceeded Under the Counties Act the riding in which this settlement happened to be had to bear the whole burden, so that, quite naturally, the ratepayers complained at haA - ing to bear the extra burden. The council had done all it could to recover the rates owing. The Attorney-General had stated, in reply to a deputation of rate payers, councillors and unassisted soldier settlers, that he would bring the matter before Cabinet. This was two month • ago, and, as they had received no further assistance from the Government, and as Parliament was to meet in t'he near future, it suggested that Hawera should use its influence through their member to have the matter put on a satisfactory basis from a county point of view. The chairman «aid that they had no cases similar in Hawera, and he did not see what they could do. A number of the soldiers had had a “hard spin,” and he knew of many who had been sold land at too dear a price. He thought that many who had sold land to soldiers had made so much out of it that they should pay the rates for all time. The letter was received.

When the Eketahuna Council’s letter was received at yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki County Council, the chairman (Mr. C. S. Connett) said they tfere in a similar position, but in a smaller proportion. He thought the council could support any action taken in the matter.

The council decided to endorse the Eketahuna County’s protest.