RATEPAYERS PLEASED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1937, Page 10

RATEPAYERS PLEASED

DIRECTION TO COUNCIL

"The association is naturally pleased with the result of the poll and accepts it as a . vindication of its endeavours (over the past seven years) to stand by those who consider that the burden tif rates in Wellington is too high. It accepts it also as support to the association's contention that tooready borrowing on the part of local bodies is not acceptable to those whose properties must serve as the pledge for such loans," said Mr. H. H. Miller, chairman of the executive of the Wellington Ratepayers' Association, last night.

"Regarding the drainage loan, the work itself will, no doubt, be well worth the expenditure. That is a matter on which our civic experts are the beat judges. The method of payment, however, is the point at variance. The association was genuinely of the opinion that over the 40 years the system has been in use a fund should have been built up to meet the replacements and extensions now proposed, or in the alternative, say, £20,000 per annum could have been ear-marked for drainage from the £500,000 per annum the citizens pay in rates. Ratepayers have now declared in favour of a loan, and their decision is respected.

"The Rangotai problem was one where opinion was very divided, mainly, it is thought, because ratepayers felt that the experts were not in agreement and therefore borrowing for a project that was considered speculative was hardly justifiable.

"The remaining loans the association considered unjustified because the work to be done was \ork that could take its turn and be paid for out of revenue as funds became available. It is indeed gratifying to note from the result of the poll that ratepayers support the views of the association in this respect.

"The result of the poll will, it is thought, indicate to councillors that ratepayers say, in effect, 'We provide and have provided for years a very liberal rate levy arid we expect councillors so to conserve this fund that it shall be sufficient to do the work of the city without having to pledge by loans the property of citizens and their future earnings for interest charges.'"