RATING SUNDAY SCHOOLS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8629, 9 July 1924, Page 3

RATING SUNDAY SCHOOLS

o Cl lUK CUES WANT THE FORMER EXEMPTION RESTORED. On Thursday last the Prime Minister iuiormed a deputation that a measmv will be presented to the present session < f Parliament proposing Ihe exemption from lean! tales of land e.n winch Sundav Schools stand. Until lately these lands have not had tv. pay rates but it cent!y Mr Justice Sim (rave a decision in the Supreme Court which lias resulted in th<> Valuation Department notifying those concerned that in future rates must be paid. The- dopuation was introduced ):v Mr R. A. Wright, M.P.. who said that those present represented the whole of the churches in Wellington ami practically the* whole cf those in New Zealand. The representation present was as follows: Church of England, Rev Archdeacon Johnson and Mr G. Shirtcliffe; Presbyterian, Rev. J. H. Mackenzie and Rev. W. .T. Ccmrie ; Catholic, Rev. Father McGrath; Baptist, Rev. F. E. Harry; Methodist*, Revs. W. Greensladei and A. N. Sc,otter ; Congregational, Mr F. de Lisle ; Church of Christ. Mr R. Allwright ; Salvation Army. Colonel Harvey and Major Scotney. Mr Wright said the deputation came because of a decision recently in ado by Mr Justice Sim. Up to the time of the decision, the legal correctness of which they did net question, Sunday Schools had not been charged rates except where they were used for letting or in other wav for gain. The decision cf His Honour called on the local authorities to* levy rates on Sunday Schools. The deputation asked the Government to amend the law so that the exemption which, was intended would be enjoyed -sc ihat Sunday Schools should be treated as Churches. The Rev. Mr Connie described the deputation as representing all the Christian churches in the community. He could neb put tho matter better before the.- Prime Minister tli an to read from a letter which had been reoeived from the Valuation Department, which said tli at under the Act cf 1908 there was an exemption for lands cccie pied by churches and chapels, and the department hitherto had included Sunday Schools, but, in consequence of the decision cf Mr Justice Sim that laud occupied by Sunday Schools is rateable property, the Department) found it necessary tc enter it on the Tolls as such. Mr Comrie said the deputation asked that! the Act should be amended to do away with the technical flaw and allow the previous understanding to- continue. They regarded the Sunday Schools as on The same footing ns churches and places cf worship- Sunday schools werei cf great value to the community, and it was hoped that the old position would be restored. Mr Massey replied that be agreed with the request, and he adder! that over a week ago he had asked the Attorney-General to see that legislation was prepared so that the matter might be put right during the session. It must come up within a very' few weeks. The Government would dey everything it could to put the matter right, and he had no doubt Parliament would agree to what would be proposer!.