SAILORS' CHRISTMAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 293, 8 December 1923, Page 14

SAILORS' CHRISTMAS.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Kindly permit mc space to make an appeal on behalf of visiting seamen ■ who will be in port on Christmas Day. For sixteen years we have tried to make the festal season attractive for seafaring men, an"d when one remembers that most of their time is spent, in un--1 attractive fo'c'les it is a privilege to be ■ able to try and pay back the debt on ! account of all they have done during 'the war. Last year the building hired iby us was crowded to the doors by men !of the Mercantile Marine, and we anticipate another large attendance on Christmas night. Financial help sent to the following address will greatly assist us in preparing a good time for our sailors.—l am, etc., ARTHUR P. COW lE, Missioner to Seamen. 17, Waitemata Chambers. Customs St. W., Auckland. UNIMPROVED RATING IN AVONDALE. iTo the Editor.i Sir, —This system of rating on unimproved values is now in force in the Borough of Avondale. the council having taken a vote on the question in the early part of the present year and carried it. On at least two previous occasions, this 'question has been submitted to the ratepayers when that suburb was controlled by'a road board, and each time rejected. Tt is quite clear the lesser ratepayers. were determined to ha\e their rates reduced at the expense of the larger land :owners, and the only way to obtain this jwas to transform the district into a thorough, and by making this alteration abolish plural voting. The effect of this change is very unjust to even comparatively small land owners. For example, take a Government valuation of a £1000 for taxation and rating, and compare the land owner with a house or other property owners with a property of the 'same value. This amount invested in land will not return in rent above £50 a year as a rule for land put to the best iuse, market gardening. Rates based on a consolidated rate as now levied in | Avondale, of 4.20 din the £, are approximately £17 10/ a year. For the same (amount invested in house property the [owner will pay about £3 10/. being now j rated upon the land only which would ■be valued in a majority of properties at not more than £2."50 in a suburb to comIpare with Avondale. I'nder the late .system of rating, each would pay on the capital value £1000. In addition to I rates the land owner is loaded with a I land tax on £300, which is a little over '£2. Deducting rates and taxes from his I income of £50 rent, he has approximately £30 left, and just 3 per cent on his investment of £1000. The contention usually urged in favour of rating on unimproved value is that the more the owner spends in improvements the , higher his rates. But improvements and additions are not made i without a corresponding ri.-e in rent, and if the owner can afford to occupy the !property himself, it is clear he is able to I pay higher rates, according to improved [value and income.—l am. etc.. RATEPAYER.