INCREASED RATE BURDENS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 223, 17 June 1936, Page 12

INCREASED RATE BURDENS

“Position Becoming Desperate”

CONCERN EXPRESSED BY ASSOCIATION The opinion that (die position of ratepayers was becoming increasingly desperate, and that unless collective action seeking some measure of security were taken ratepayers would find themselves called upon to pay everincreasing and crippling rate levies, was expressed at an executive meeting of the Wellington Ratepayers’ Association last night. In a supplied report of the meeting it was pointed out that there was a growing tendency in both general anil local government to add increased burdens upon property owners because ;t was au easy and sure way of finding revenue,. It was becoming increasingly evident that the system of levy upon propertv was open to serious abuse, and that it was most unfair to expect one section of the community bo bear community costs that were really the responsibility of the whole community. As an illustration, the increased hospital levy was discussed, and the meeting was unanimously of opinion that hospital expenditure had reached sucn a pass that it had become a burden beyond the capacity of ratepayers. Burden on Savings. “As has so often been pointed out by the Wellington Ratepayers’ Association, there are many hundreds of citizens who have invested the savings of a lifetime in the building of a home, only to find in the retiring years of their lives that they have to meet rates that have become a rent, and a heavy rent at that.” stated the report. It was also stated in the report that a year or two back there had been some hope that the Wellington civic authorities were working in the direction of rate reduction, but at the moment there was every indication that unless ratepayers were awakened to the present serious state of affairs works would be undertaken—almost before they were a ware of it—that would greatly increase their already heavy burdens. It was, of course, recognised that productive and necessary works must be carried out, but ratepayers rightly expected that, these works should lie. kept within the limit of the financial resources of the community. National Responsibility. As an instance Rongotai aerodrome came up for discussion, and members considered that it would be a serious mistake for ratepayers to vote for a loan for the purpose of extensions. It was considered that such work was a national one, and that the City Council should not. even expect ratepayers to do more than had already been done. It was considered that, were it decided that Rongotai was to be made into a first-class aerodrome, the responsibility should be accepted as a national responsibility and the cost be borne by the whole of the people in New Zealand, and not a mere handful of ratepayers who happened to lie resident in Wellington. What applied to Rongotai applied equally to hospital affairs and many other matters, stated the report of the association, and so that those matters and others as vitally important, to the general body of ratepayers might, receive consideration it was decided to call a general meeting of ratepayers on Tuesday, June 30.

Remits on any matter bearing upon the rate problem are to be invited from ratepayer citizens. These are to be submitted to a sub-coinmittee that has been appointed and, if, relevant, the remit, will be added to the agenda paper and discussed at the public meeting. It has been decided that the meeting will be devoted entirely to business, and there will be no pre-arranged addresses.

The whole object of the meeting will be to give ratepayers an opportunity to express their views upon civic matters affecting the rate question.