CITY RATES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 141, 16 June 1932, Page 12

CITY RATES

CIVIC LEAGUE'S VIEWS

REDUCTION NOT POSSIBLE

At tho recent meeting of the. Wellington Civic League the questions of rating and city works were very fully discussed, and it was finally decided to appoint a special committee which should summarise the views of the league on the subjects of rates, works, and general policy. There is here presented the statement of the league's committee:— ; An examination of the city's rating and finance in relation to the carrying out of necessary city works and services shows that for the period of tho present council things have been cut rato fine and will be so in the current year. The total rates for 1931-32 were £508,300. It is estimated that, for the year 1932-33 they will be about -the same. ~ ■ How this, is affecting the controllable expenditure, on which the works and services depend; is shown by the following figures:—Controllable exuenditure, 1930-31, £319,895;', 1931-32 £250,040; 1932-33, £195,446. Thus the City Council budgeted for a drop of £09,855 last year, and a further decrease of' £54,594 this year. The total decrease of £124,449 in the two years is a very clear declaration of most drastic cutting. : On the other hand, the city is faced with unavoidable increases in fixed charges; of £27,909-this year, in addition to. the £23,000 allocation for unemployment relief (set out'in our previous report). These figures indicate very plainly, that the city is faced with a very serious position, and that every: care should be taken to avoid pushing the council in directions which:might involve ■ most' serious trouble for the city. ~_ , RATE REDUCTION FALLACY. The proposal put forward by the Wellington Ratepayers' Association that the City Council should reduce the rates.lo per cent., in face of the present position of the city's finance and works, appears to us quite ridiculous. This, proposed ' reduction would . not affect tile fixed charges, widen have in any case to be met. - Tho- amount, 10 per cent, off the- total rates, Would mean another £50,000 ofi the controllable expenditure. In our opinion the city's Vorks and services have, in many directions, been already cut to the bone. Another cut of 10- per cent, would involve . the stoppage of some works, restriction ,of . others that are necessary, and augmenting : the existing heavy burdens of unemployment and loss of spending power, etc. . . - . . The league is entirely opposed to any such policy, and we fail to understand how any persons associated with business can give it countenance ■ ±oi- a. minute. As the league represents many hundreds of ratepayers we are voicing our opposition to this rash policy in tho interests of the ratepayers and citizens in general. We have noted: that the Eatepayers' Association (one amongst many) hag put forward the novel idea that the City Council should first reduce tho rates 10 per cent.- and then allot what remains. What genius evolved tho idea that the, city in its business should first drastically reduce and then find out whether it can carry on or not wo do not know. Of this we are sure, that no prudent person, would apply this principle in his own business. One business man on the league's council presented the view, generally endorsed, that to add to tho depression by the method suggested would mean lowering his business turnover and tie would sooner meet a small increase in rates than have that affected. LEAGUE'S LINES OF POLICY. In regard to civic organisation and the steady-progress of our city the league affirms certain definite principles. It is prepared to co-operate with the Ratepayers' Association if these p-rinciples (found necessary) are accepted. First, it is opposed to organisation on tho basis of class interests. It is for.tho citizens as a whole. Class consciousness it holds to be bad policy for country or city, as it digs the grave of real ■ cooperation. • The league only endorses criticism of those in office which is fair and just, taking all the facts, -into consideration. At the present time the league looks only for the prevention, of waste, the co-ordination of ■services'to effect constructive economy- the avoidance, if possible,, of increase of rates; the maintenance of city .works so that we may not, from neglect, have to pay much more later on from depreciation or over-, sight.

"We think that under the very trying circumstances the- City Council and officers have done' good work, and we give, credit candidly where it is due."