WHO SHOULD BEAR THE BURDEN?

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 204, 23 May 1919, Page 8

WHO SHOULD BEAR THE BURDEN?

TOWN-PLANNING FINANCE.

Tho Hon George Fowlds last evening presented to tho Town-planning Conference the report of a committee that had teen appointed to consider the financial aspect of the town-planning problem. The committee had been asked to discuss what ought to be tho respective responsibilities of' the Dominion Govornmont and the local authorities for expenditure required to carry out-schemes proposed in und arising from tho lownplairoin'g Bill, ■ Mr. Fowids said that tho committee hud to make tho following recommendations:—That tho total cost of tho Townplanning Department, including the salary of the expert, should bo paid by the Government; that the cost of carrying out local schemes should be borne by the districts affeoted, 'but that the money re-, quired should be provided by-the Dominion Government at tho lowest possible rale of 'interest, the' local bodies being called upon to, pay only interest and sinking fund; that provision should be made for assisting out of the Consolidated Fund smaller local authorities in special; circumstances. '

The above recommendations did not meet with much opposition. Tho following, one, however, did: —"That clause U, subof the Town-planning Bill be amended to provide for the assessment of all rates required fur the payment of interest and sinking fund on the cost of town-planning schemes on the unimproved value of the land,"

The Hon. G. W. .Russell opposed tho clause. He believed that rating on unimproved value hud done more than anything else to destroy the beauty of our towns. The effect of rating in such a fashion was 4hat every possible house was put on every available inch of land. He claimed that rating on unimproved value had marred one of the loveliest spots in Ghristchui'ch.

The Mayors of Hawera and Invcrcargill stated that their experienco of the svatuiu led them to differ from Mr. Russell as to its effect.

Mr. Luke (Mayor of Wellington) observed that in his opinion the system had not been altogether a. 'blessing lo Wellington. Ho did not wish, however, by favouring the clause in the report, to urge the abrogation of the right of the peoplo to decide for themseives whether they should be'fated on unimproved valuo or otherwise.

Mr. M'Combs, M.P., said thnt the smaller ratepayers in Christchurch regarded rating on unimproved value as the best system, and lie believed that it was going to be maintained there.

The conference rejected the clause, apparently considering it best to leave the matter open. Tlie rest of tiie report it adopted.