TAKAPUNA'S POPULATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 101, 30 April 1923, Page 9

TAKAPUNA'S POPULATION.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—During the course of a lengthy speech delivered at Milford, the Mayor of Takapuna condemned the system of rating on unimproved values, as it had a tendency to lower the price of land. But rising land values, being created by growing population, public expenditure, nnd without any effort on the part of the owner, retard progress by making land inaccessible to the poor and those possessing small capital. On the other hand, wherever rating on the unimproved value has been tried, it has increased the supply of land, lessened the value, lowered rent, and increased population. Growing land values represent declining productivity, and the inroads made upon tho earnings of labour are considerable. Furthermore, it is quits evident that Takapuna can never secure the advantages enjoyed by other boroughs unless by increasing the population, which necessitates an abundant supply of cheap land. The Mayor admits very little has been accomplished during his term of office, and personally I see no prospect for the future if the present ideas animate our local Government. — I am, etc., JOHN" G-UINIVEN, Takapuna, April 10, 1923.