THE RATE BURDEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 103, 3 May 1937, Page 8

THE RATE BURDEN

. (To the Editor.) Sir,—l was glad to read the timely warning issued by .the executive of the Wellington Ratepayers' Association in regard to a possible further increase this year, and the ratepayers' attitude to any increase was indicated i.n the recent poll taken for loans for various works. If the council is finding ,it necessary to get more money each year, it is time some way was found of getting it from the source best able to pay. A worker setting out 20 years or so ago to provide. himself with a shelter for his old age win find that instead of having a little home rent-free

in. his declining, years,.he has saddled himself with,a perpetually increasing liability in the'form of yearly rates. Any more works like the Hataitai tunnel, which really benefits few people other than ' motorists and is costing ratepayers in the. vicinity of £40 per'day, would be unpopular with suburban house dwellers, most of whom will' never get beyond tram travelling, which has to be financed by the users.—l am, etc., ' ■..,.■-,■ FIXED INCOME. : (To the Edi'.or.) ■-■'■ Sir,-r-The statement' issued by the Wellington Ratepayers' Association and •' published in "The Post" gives one. food ' for.' thoiight. .With modern methods, and the' main construction \vork of the city long since; completed; with maintenance; of roads; cut to ; a minimum by tar. sealing,l one.'Swonders why those controllhig our,'civic affairs continually cry "shortage of cash." During 'the past seven years the council has spent a total of £3,500,000 in maintaining work already done, in providing added amenities, and paying : interest on past debts. This is a considerable sum,,so surely ratepayers might well .expect; that now that major work is not a direct charge upon rates,, half a million; pounds -provided: annually should be sufficient for all legitimate heeds. .--(Possibly, the Wellington Ratepayers' Association has .been . misinformed. Councillors /would surely never contemplate-airise in the .rate levy again this year.—l am, ■ etc., ■ ■ ■; '■/ \.