THE RISING RATES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 55, 2 September 1937, Page 17

THE RISING RATES

REMEDY SOUGHT

ISLAND BAY DISCUSSION

"This year the rates are up very considerably," said Mr. S. F. Hoskins, at the annual meeting of the Island Bay Municipal Electors' Association last night. "Properties rated £12 last year are now rated £22. It is time the asso- 1 ciation joined with some organised body to have these rates controlled. It has been pointed out by the City Council that it has no control in the matter, the Hospital Board may strike what rate it likes, and the city has no option, but to collect it. It may be that the social services are increasing at too great a rate for the population increase."

The chairman (Mr. B. O'Brien) agreed thatVthe principal increase in rates was brought about by the hospital rate, but said that the drainage works and the extra expense occasioned by the 40-hour week were other factors. The drainage was needed, and made for better health conditions, but, as city officers had pointed out in the past, if they wanted these things they must pay. It was a ticklish subject. Although the minor proposed loans had been turned down, the drainage loan, Avhich represented two-thirds of the total, had been carried.

VALUE FOR THE MONEY?

. Mr. Hoskins said that there was no complaint about the work done in improvements, but were they getting value for their money? When the rate to be paid was considered in conjunction with the big interest bill, the position seemed to be becoming impossible. The association should take a live interest in these matters and see that it got £1 value for every £1 spent. Mr. H. H. Miller remarked that the original proposed expenditure on the hospital was some £156,000, but after the municipal elections the Labour influence on the board had become predominant, and it was apparently proposed to go on with an expenditure of some £600,000. If the electors chose men who liked spending money, they certainly would spend it. He could see no change being made until the way the city was controlled was changed. It had even been suggested that the city should take in Johpsonville and Tawa Flat. That would mean an added burden for the next few years, as ifhese areas needed a lot of development. Suggestions were asked by the chairman for means of raising money to assist the.Free Ambulance. A concert had netted the association £12, but under its constitution it could not grant that sum to the ambulance. Eventually a motion was passed "that the. association is not in the position to promote any lunction towards the Free Ambulance fund." *

The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr. B. O'Brien; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. G. O. C. Jackman, C. B. McDougall, and S. Nelson; hon. secretary, Mr. D. S. Craig; hon. auditor, Mr. T. Pender; hon. solicitor, Mr. M. G. Neal; committee, Messrs.-W. H. Lepper, S. F. Hoskins, T. Beddis, D. Munro, H. H.Waugh, W. Sheard, L. Ford, H. H. Miller, J. Fox, W. A. Finch, L. Moss, T. C. Ricketts, J. O. Shorland, and L. E. Aldridge.