MEETING AT WOOLSTON.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10294, 14 March 1899, Page 2

MEETING AT WOOLSTON.

A largely attended public meeting of Woolston ratepayers was held at the Cjddfellows' Hall, Woolston, last night, jto discnss a requisition, made under the Bating on Unimproved Values Act, that steps should be adopted to take a vote on the question of the adoption of the principle of rat - ing on unimproved values. Objection was taken to the Mayer,, Mr J. if.. Douglass, occupying the chair, but after much feeling had been displayed, he retained his position. Mr Hopkins cited several instances of the hardship and injustice that would Tesult if the principle were, adopted. A. settler at Roimata who at present pays in local rates 12s 9d, would pay £1 9s 2d under the proposed system. Another, who at presen l -- paid 14s 8d in local rates, would pay £1 7s 8d under the new system. He did not consider that was the way of encouraging the settlement of the land. If the principle were adopted the rates would probably mount up to 10s per acre, and they could not expect persons wanting land to take it up in their district when they could get land in an adjoining district which was only rated at 5s per acre. He moved—"That this meeting of ratepayers is of opinion that it is not desirable'to bring into operation the rating on unimproved values within the borough of Woolston.". v Mr Spreadbury seconded, and pointed out that Mr Tanner, who had instigated the agitation in favour of unimproved rating— Mr Tanner—Why, it has been stated that a political organisation instigated the movement. Mr Spreadbury—Yes, Mr Ell, and you are one of his colleagues.. Ha went on to say that Mr Tanner had been elected in the interest of tbe working man, but now desired to bring a system into operation which would press heavily on the working man. Mr Bailey said he had been a working Iman, but he was disgusted at their attempts to reduce the value of real estate. There

were other interests than those of the working men, and he-intended.to see that they T-caived justice, * • * * .Mr Ewart contended that the principle ol rating on unimproved value would relieve many of those whose properties had been -overvalued. The- Act -was a blessing.to "ever*" small householder. He spoke at con-' siderable .-length in support of the adoption of the principle of rating on unimproved value. After he had spoken for a lengthy period, the meeting refused to further hear him. * '. Mr Eirth moved that Mr Ell, -who was present, should do heard. - The Mayor—l decline Jo allow any outsider to speak ou this question. Mr* Thomas asserted that the opponents to the proposal had adopted underhand methods in extracting, certain information from .the CounciTa books. "How do we know," he asked, "that the books have not been altered?" ... This was received with hooting. Mr Hopkins explained that every ratepayer had a right to consult the Conncir» books. ... Several others spoke on the subject. Mr Tanner said he was disappointed with the way in which the meeting had been conducted. There had been notbing but charges, insinuations, recriminations, and personalities,' and the Mayor had not kept the meeting to the point. The rating '-on unimproved values was only a little incident in the everlasting struggle going on from underneath, the struggle of the. small man against the overcrowder. He had no synv jtothv with the feeling that because a man was rich ho should pay everything, but all should pay in proportion to their ability and position. The system of valuation* which had been in force in Woolston ever since he .knew it had'been an inequitable one. The last valuation was by no means the worston the contrary,' he thought it was the best. (Laughter.) If there bad been an equitable system of valuation in the district there would not have bean such a keen edge put on the agitation for rating on unimproved value. He explained the causes which prompted the passing of the measure, and though the principle was not absolutely perfect, it was better than the system on which they were at He asserted that an amending Bill would be passed next session, permitting the question of the adoption of tho principle in the Act being submitted three months after its rejection. Mr Connal said that the questions of bringing in the Act and the system had been confused by many of the speakers. The Act did not provide for any other system of. valuation than that in force' at present. The Act provided that an equivalent amount must be raised by rating on the unimproved value, and the effect of this was that the rate on land would be l_d in the £ instead. of |d in the £, the present rate on the capital value. Ho contended that the conditions which had given rise to the legislation did not apply in Canterbury, as all theT_nd was occupied to their best ability to occupy it. They could not manufacture people as they did chairs. , The industries of the district would be developed better than by this eternal unrest and desire for change. Under the provisions of the Aofc the minority were to rule, as .only one-third of the total numbers need go to the poll to make it valid; in other words seventeen ratepayers could force |he principle on the remaining eightythree. After other ratepayers had spoken, Mr Hopkins replied to the arguments brought forward in favour of the principle of rating on the unimproved value. Oa* a show of hands the Mayor, declared the motion carried.