RATE COLLECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 102, 3 May 1939, Page 10

RATE COLLECTION.

Mr. Smith possibly thinks that by quoting his own paltry gain of 30/ on the" adoption ot the capital v ;l lue rating system he has stated the last word in favour of that method. Incidentally, my rates rose approximately from £10 to £1.1 on the change from cai.ital value to unimproved value, this on a 50ft action as against Mr. Smith - * 04ft section. X.,w it is easy to see why the h.r-er landholders so dearly love the capital valno sy-tem. Cities and boroughs are synonymous of close settlement and until all available land is occupied in city uses the unimproved system must be the fairest and best of assessing rates. The closer settlement being enforced on a large scale by the State housing schemes in Mount Albert will, or should, slightly alleviate the unfairness, but there is still room for the corrective influence- of unimproved rating in the borough. Mr. Smith, if he wishes 7nav easily join the pity by exchan"in~ hi« estat" for one within its jurisdiction, but it is doubted if the ratepayers of Mount Albert will a-ain be caught napping a s they were when capital value rating was footed'on them. SAXDHAM.