RATING REFORM.

Evening Star, Issue 19839, 12 April 1928, Page 9

RATING REFORM.

TO TUB EDITOR. Sir.—l wish to bring before the various ratepayers’ assoriations a system which would, I think, be much fairer than the present system of rating on rents, and that is rating on unimproved value only or improved value only. The present system for rating on rentable values is not fair, bceau.se when the rates are raised the rents arc raised, and the whole system has the effect of increasing rents to the housholdcr. Then, again, one landlord seeks a big rent, while another is content with a much smaller rent, although the houses are identical in size and convenience; so how can you base a fair rating system on rents? As a matter of fact, the present system is cut up between improved values and rentable values, and whichever can be found to give the best excuse for the largest rates is adopted by the valuer. The great discontent shown by the way the city valuation department is besieged by ratepayers during the fifteen days set apart for complaints should he put a stop U> by the clear issue of rating on improved value only or unimproved value. The various ratepayers’ associations were formed in the first place to reform the rating system, and what have they done? I would like to see more progress shown in the things that count to the ratepayers in gen-' eral, and Parliament petitioned to alter the Rating Act and revert to the ward system.-*-1 am, etc., Progress. April 12.