IN AUSTRALIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 31, 7 February 1933, Page 8

IN AUSTRALIA.

MUNICIPAL POLICY.

BURDENS ON RATEPAYERS.

MAKING LOAD LIGHTER, (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Monday. During his recent visit to Australia Mr. Will Appleton, a member of the Wellington City Council, who returned by the R.M.6. Monowai this afternoon, found time in some degree to investigate municipal matters in Sydney and Melbourne. In each case there lias been a

revaluation with a consequent lessening of the burden on taxpayers. For example, in Sydney the cost to the citizens of the maintenance of streets, the maintenance of parks and reserves, the cost of the collection of garbage, and the cost of street cleansing has been reduced in each case below the figures of 1914, despite the fact that wages are still higher than before: the war. . I" 1926 the unimproved value of land in the city of Sydney was £44,758,056. In 1927 a new assessment was made, and the value was increased to £61,352,514. The practice in the past hag been to make revaluations every three years. In 1930, however, a fresh "valuation was made,- the total reaching £71,854,117, but the council very wisely did. not confirm this valuation, and the rates were struck on the basis of the 1927 values. In 1931 the council ordered a fresh valuation, which resulted in the figure of £56,957,774, white last year the valuation dropped to £49,408.439. It is considered by the town clerk that the basis of rating, for 1933 will be on a valuation of £47,000,000. In Melbourne, Mr. Appleton said, the rating is on the rental values, and here again there lias been a substantial fall in the valuations. Since 1930 there has been a drop of 19.529 per cent. Melbourne over the period mentioned has decreased the demands on ratepayers from £509,498 in 1930 to £409,995"f0r this year. "The policy of Melbourne city in raising loan money locally impressed me as very sound," remarked Mr. Appleton. "Instead Of being faced with a heavy exchange bill such as we have in Wellington, Melbourne is quite free from this burden. In Melbourne there is a continuous valuation by the city valuer and his staff. "J n my opinion," said Mr. Appleton, "this question of a new valuation of all city properties is the crux of the question in regard to a more equitable distribution of rates so far as Wellington is concerned, and muoh can he learned from the policy which has been adopted in Australia. "I was very much_ impressed," said Mr. Appleton, "by the way in which both Sydney and Melbourne have handled the situation. Ripid economies have had to be effected, and as far as I can see these have been brought about without impairing the efficiency of essential services.