RATING SYSTEMS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1927, Page 15

RATING SYSTEMS

ADDRESSES AT KABOBI.

At _ the invitation of the Karori Progressive Association, a special meeting of the residents of Karori was held in the Parish Hall on Tuesday evening to afford Councillor F. M. Luckie and Mr. P. J. o'Began an opportunity of advocating their views on the principles of municipal rating under the system of annual capital value and the unimproved value. Mr- Lauchlan (of the electrical staff of the City Corporation) was also present, and. gave an interesting review of the "change-over" and the policy of the council in regard to. meeting the requirements of the householders at a minimum cost. The address was greatly appreciated, and on the motion of Colonel G. T. Hall, who occupied the chair, in the absence of the president (Mr. W. Simm), a vote of thanks was carried by acclamation. Mr. Luckie then gave the meeting a very clear statement in support of his advocacy for a change of policy in the system of the city, rating. He pointed out that it was becoming more and more difficult for the- council to carry out the city requirements under the present system of rating without increasing the rates. In comparison, he instanced the City of Auckland, where the rating was on the annual capital value, and where no difficulty was experienced in meeting the heavy'expenditure incurred in municipal undertakings. Grey Lynn, now part of Auckland City, was formerly rated under unimproved value, but now, with improved services, paid a lower rate under capital value. He strohgly advocated- a revision of the system of rating to the annual value, under which the taxation would be equitably placed on those best able to bear it.

In stating the case for rating solely under the unimproved value, Mr. O'Regan pointed out that rating under capital value was a tax on industry, wrong in principle. It was an iniquitous expedient which could not give as good a result as rating on the principle of the_ unimprovea value. He expressed satisfaction at the progress made to secure a poll on the issues under discussion, ana was confiaent that the principle would be carried. A rating demand handed to him amounting to approximately £20—would, he said, be reduced to about j£9—lf compiled under the unimproved value only; the same demand, Mr. Luckie contended, if compiled under the capital value system, wouia be reduced to about £10.

After a number of questions had been answered the meeting accorded a hearty vote of thanks to the speakers for their interesting and instructive addresses. •