I would like to ask the Minister if he can form any idea of the counties that are likely to avail themselves of the provisions of this measure.
PUBLIC BUSINESS. - LOCAL GOVERNMENT (RATES ON AGRICULTURAL LAND) BILL, 1924—FOURTH STAGE.
So far as I know, all the County Councils who up to the present have considered the matter have passed resolutions agreeing to accept the benefits conferred with the exception, I think, of one.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
That is to say, all the County Councils who have considered it up to the present are in favour of the Bill except one?
Mr. HOGAN
So far as I know.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
I think what the Senator is anxious to know is how many County Councils have agreed to accept it.
Yes, a general idea. I can understand that the Minister may not know, because some County Councils may not have dealt with the measure.
Mr. HOGAN
I think only five or six have considered it as yet. I do not say that information is very accurate, but it is as far as I know.
SECTION 5.
The following amendment standing in my name was left over from the Committee Stage:—
Immediately before Section 5 to insert a new Section 5 as follows:—
5.—Any ratepayer in a county may, during the hours that the office of the County Council is open, on payment of a fee of one shilling, inspect any books or returns of the County Council, showing the rates which have been paid in the county.
I understand that as the law stands at present ratepayers have most of the powers mentioned in the proposed new section. Under these circumstances, I ask leave to withdraw it.
Perhaps I ought to explain that I kept my promise and looked into this matter. Under the existing law—that is the Poor Law Act of I and II. Victoria—everybody who is interested has a right at all reasonable times to an inspection of the rate-book and taking copies and extracts. The rate-book is kept in such a way that it shows what rates have been paid up to within about a fortnight before inspection, because the Secretary of the County Council is bound to enter up in a column that is provided, the collection of the rates up to about a fortnight before. The collector has to send in his returns every fortnight, and the result of that fortnight's collection is put into the rate-book by the Secretary. Therefore, the ratepayer has all the advantage that the Senator desires, and the additional advantage that he gets it for nothing instead of paying 1s.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Bill ordered for Final Stage.