LAND VALUES LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 259, 2 August 1928, Page 11

LAND VALUES LEAGUE

-ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of tlie Land Values League was hold Iqst night, Mr. I’. J. D’Kegan being in the chair. The report Ind balance-sheet were adopted, and the financial position found to lie satisfactory. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:— President, Sir George. Fowlds; vicepresident, Mr. P. J. O'liegan; secretary Ind treasurer, Mr. 11. D. Smith. In reviewing the league’s activities for the past year, Mr. O’Kegan regretted having to note that there was no advance in general taxation. All political parties in New Zealand appeared to be more or less affected with tlie tariff heresy. Notwithstanding the talk about Empire solidarity the component parts of the British Empire appeared to be engaging in a tariff warfare such as one would expect between hostile .nations. Two things.were necessary for the prosperity of New Zealand, said Mr. O’liegan. a sweeping reduction in tlie tariff, and an Increase in land taxation. Tlie weakness of all free traders, except those who subscribed to Henry George's principles, was that they suggested no alternative way of raising revenue. So far as local taxation was concerned, the movement to exempt improvements was steadily gaining ground and was popular in spite o£ opposition. Mr. O’Regan hoped that polls would be held shortly in Auckland and Mt. Eden. They had every reason to be satisfied witli the adoption of the complete exemption of improvements in the city of Wellington. The rate notices just issued liad brought home to ratepayers the. injustice of taxing improvements. Nevertheless, tho svstem had not come into force without the usual misrepresentations, and al-' though seventy-seven out ot one hundred and twenty boroughs had now adopted rating on unimproved value, the suggestion was being, made that legislation should be enacted tu circumvent the will of the ratepayers by restoring the taxation of improvement in respect to certain services. Tlie following resolutions were passed:— “That this league expresses its satisfaction at the complete exemption of improvements in the city of Wellington, and takes strong exception to the misrepresentation inspired by interested persons who fail either to disclose their identity, or to give concrete illustrations in support of their assertions. In connection witli tlie water, rate the league points out that, pursuant to tile provisions of action 84 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1929. vacant lands, and lands not occupied by dwellings, situated within 100 yards of water mains, pay half-rate only, while lands situated beyond that limit are exempt from the water lll “Furtlier in view of the fact that rateravers of this City have declared them- - selves by an overwhelming majority to be in favour of rating on unimproved value, ive strongly resent the suggestion hint legislation should be passed to defeat their W?ll hv restricting tlie taxation of improvements Whether in respect of water supplies or otherwise.”