WAIROA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 291, 7 December 1900, Page 2

WAIROA.

ISATIXG ON" U.NIMI'ROVKT) VAI/UES

A meeting of the ratepayers of Wairon South was held iv the Public Hall, C'leve•don, on .Monday ir.yrht last. -Mr Samuel V~uU'> iinil Mr Tiios. Webb having been announced io speak on the proposed change of rating, considerable interest was aroused mid there was a largo attendance. Mr Burgnyiio presided. Mr Vtille was tin- first Mj-euker, mid strongly opposed the change. We said iliat so I'm- us he was Individually concerned it would pay him to support the. rating on unimproved values, but it would .menn misery for his children. Ituting on unimproved values mount the Introduction i.'l the single tax, and the single, lasers would drive the wedge, home until they- harf burst up the freehold tenure and reduced every occupier to (be position of a yearly tenant at a rack-rent. Mr Webb, in replying to Mr Vaile, maintained that the only principle l.y which national social heullli eouidbe secured was the law of "service tor service." if a road hoard rendered service re country settlers by niukiug their far it) s more easly accessible, the value oi tliar service was expressed in 'increased land values. In ;i city without water sup. ply. schools, tramways, jjas, and ail iiic public services of modern times, they mis Lit probably have ttio use of a building lot Cor io for a year, while for a similar lot iv a city with all motion requirements they, ivoulil have to nay at least £21) a year." Yet if they del; such alii a:iu put uu a house, 'tni> city valuer came nlong and assessed the owner of the house for the value of those very services for which he hodugreed to pay £15 extra in ground rent! Tims the pei/plu had to pay twk-e—llrst In Increased ground rent to the landlord, u-nd secondly ill rates. Mot only did the landlord pocket tlie value of past services, but he actually sold tue future value of public works under tlii;. name of "grand prospective value." M." Webb then read a list of l!l districts in iv'hieh the new system had been adopted, none of which had shown any desire to return to the old method. In only three districts had it been rejected by votes. Tiie real question, at issue was a question of right and wrong-, artid only right and justice could finally prevail.