asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that because of severe losses suffered owing to the bad weather conditions and the falling live-stock prices farmers now find it impossible to meet their first moiety of the rate demand; and, if so, if he will take steps to have the date, by which the first moiety must be paid, deferred.

I am not empowered to instruct rating authorities to defer the date for receipt of either moiety of the rate. If, however, the rating authorities and their officers are satisfied that exceptional local circumstances affect a particular farmer's ability to pay and give a reasonable extension of time accordingly, a corresponding extension for the purpose of calculating rate collectors' bonus would be sympathetically considered by me.