GOVERNMENT LIABILITY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 4, 5 July 1910, Page 2

GOVERNMENT LIABILITY.

RATES ON RESUMED LANDS. SHOULD THE STATE PAY?'

That the Government be ultimately liable for all rates levied on landß resumed by the Government for workers' dwellings. With regard to this remit, which was brought before the Municipal Conference by the Mayor of Petone (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) yesterday, it will be remembered that in November, 1908, the Petone Borough Council despatched a circular letter to all borough councils, setting out the particulars as to the effect that tho resumption of lands by the Government for workers' dwellings has on the 1 revenues of boroughs within whose boundaries such land may be resumed. Forty replies were received favouring the proposed course set out in the letter. Mr. M'Ewan said yesterday that the matter had been threshed out at the last conference, and there was no need to go into details again. He would only point out that the Petone Council was undej great disability through the action of the Government in refusing to pay the rates. There were only 28 houses built on 150 acres belonging to the State, and during the past four years his council had lost £1700 in rates. lie would leave the matter in the hands of the conference. The president (Mr. T. M. Wilford) seconded the motion, which waa carried. The president then moved as follows : — "That the attention of the Government be drawn to the fact that where education reserves are leased on weekly tenancies, or for other short periods, the local authorities cannot levy. Further, that the Government should pay rates on land used, for trading purposes." Mr. J. Vigor Brown (Napier) thougat that where the Government was competing with other busineses firms, rates on the property used should be paid. Mr. Hindmarsb pointed out that the Government did nofTpay rates on its coal depots, which they should do, as they used the city streets largely. The president added to the remit : "That properties taken or used by the Government for trading purposes also be subject to rates," and ft was put and carried.