Crown Asked To Pay More Rates

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30152, 8 June 1963, Page 12

Crown Asked To Pay More Rates

(from Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, June 7. Because many representations had been made, consideration would have to be given, when redrafting the Rating Act, to provide for payment of rates by the Crown where it

did not already do so, said the Minister of Internal Affairs (Sir Leon Gotz) tonight.

He added, however, that it would not be possible to proceed with the redrafting in time for toe coming Parliamentary session. The Crown last agreed to be liable for more rating, additional to that on occupied State houses, during the period of the last National Government On tha-t occasion. certain State trading departments were included Difficult questions would be involved when a redrafting of the act was being considered. Examples were Crown properties used exclusively tor toe benefit of local residents, such as Post Offices and schools. Public hospitals, maintained out of the Social Security Fund, were another example, Sir Leon Gotz said. Wide Issues Introduced Other Government sources agreed that very wide issues would be involved in any adjustment. Some large municipalities had large watersheds outside their own areas but they did not pay rates to toe local authorities —usually counties —where these watersheds were situated There were also church schools, and private hospitals conducted by religious organisations. Some counties Included considerable military establishments like Linton, Papakura and Burnham, and if an encompassing decision »•* reached to pay rates on all Crown property, the result would be to add substantially to the votes allocated to several Government departments in toe annual estimates. This could result in higher taxes. Property exempt from rates, within the meaning of the act. includes:—

All land vested in the Crown of which there Is no other occupier. Lands held under Crown licence or lease for goldmining (residence and business sites excepted); lands occupied by churches and chapels, or cemeteries; Sunday school buildings and land. Land and buildings used tor public schools, secondary schools, technical classes, universities or colleges, or theological institutions. Land and buildings used for a school not carried on exclusively tor pecuniary gam or profit, but so that within any borough or district not more than four acres are used and occupied for any one such school. Lands, not in each case exceeding 100 acres, and buildings used for a public mental hospital, a hospital, or lighthouse purposes, and lands used as quarantine, pilot or signal stations, or for public plantations. Lands and buildings used for a charitable institution and not receiving any subsidy from the public funds, which is carried on exclusively out of private beneficence (not more than four acres an institution). Waterworks belonging to or controlled by any borougli council, and wharves, river protection and harbour works under harbour board control and management.