RATING SYSTEMS.

Evening Star, Issue 21821, 10 September 1934, Page 3

RATING SYSTEMS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —If the result of the rating poll next Tuesday were not a matter of such vital moment to all the citizens of Dunedin one could indulge in some hearty laughs over the ridiculous stir that the mayor and his few fellow agitators are making. Mr O’Regan is reported os having said that the great majority of ratepayers would save substantially under rating on the unimproved value. Judging from other statements he himself makes this is absolutely incorrect. It would be true if the city already consisted of good-sized houses spread almost all over eighth of an acre sections, but Mr O’Regan himself declares that the average distribution of population here is fewer than five persons to the acre. Since that implies a large number of comfortable sections where persons of all classes can let their children play, or else grow their own flowers and vegetables, it is evident that the great majority of ratepayers would suffer, not to mention the disastrous effect of the proposed change on the appearance of the city. Unable to dispute the facts and figures of his opponents, Mr O’Regan taunts them , with being anonymous. He does not realise that most settled citizens are averse to being associated with any public agitation, especially when it is led by men who unfairly evade the main issue and try to stir up class prejudices. The one man in Dunedin most anxious to remain anonymous is he who declared Mr O’Regan to be “ New Zealand’s greatest authority on rating systems.” As it is the central area of Dunedin pays 52.61 per cent, of the rates, and has only 45.44 per cent, of the city expenditure devoted to its needs, Mr O’Regan would make the disproportion far greater still, with the inevitable result that unemployment figures would rise. What firms can afford to cope witli any further disturbing factors than those which Parliament supplies without putting off hands? Everyone in any way proud to ho a citizen of Dunedin must go straight to the poll on Tuesday and vote for sane progress by striking out the top line. —1 am, etc., J ufrr System. September B.'