RATING VALUES.

Evening Star, Issue 23492, 5 February 1940, Page 9

RATING VALUES.

TO TUB CDITOII. Sir,—The valuation on my little home has been advanced £6, automatically raising the rates by about £2. Duo juston Christinas, this extra pay-out will be a serious matter to most householders, who all seem to be affected. Ido not wish to be in such a time of stress, but would like to know the why and wherefore of the position. If the money is needed by the City Council to pay off debts, well and good; but in that case why the reduction in rates last year? If it is to bo-used in beautifying tlie town, why not let the ratepayers get a chance to spend a few pounds on their homes, thus killing two birds with one stone? If it is just another tax. why go through this expensive method of inflating values?—l am, etc., Ax Harassed Ratepayer. February 3. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I was disagreeably surprised to find, when 1 received my municipal valuation document on Friday last, that there was a big increase in the rateable value. Houses, like all other eonuno‘dities, deteriorate in value from the day they are erected, but the valuators—or. perhaps, our mayor and his colleagues —seem to be tinder the impression-that second-hand goods are more valuable than new goods. It was promised that if we voted at last election for the Citizen Association’s candidates the rates would not be raised. For many years the suburban ratepayers contributed more than their share of the revenue, receiving little or nothing in return. The corporation was thus able to carry out improvements in the city which benefited those who own land and buildings in the centre of the town. These investors pocketed the surplus between what they should have paid and what they did pay in rates. They were able to show each year a very handsome return on the money they had invested in urban property. Through an unfair rating system the investors received incomes part of which were communityearned values. Now, when improvements are being carried out in the suburbs, the suburban residents are being called on to pay for the whole of the improvements, while the property owners in the centre of the city are not asked to make any sacrifice. The motto of the present council seems to be: “ To him that hath it shall be given, from him that hath not it shall be taken away.” Perhaps Mr H. L. Gibson, secretary of the Citizens’ Association, will replj- to my letter.—l am, etc., Suburban Ratepayer. February 5.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I am writing on behalf of an aged widow who, throughout her working life, by sheer hard work saved sufficient money to secure for herself a modest home in the declining years of her life. With an income of 30s a week, and independent of the social security benefits, she has a struggle, even in normal times, to make ends meet. With high prices ruling for necessities she will have a hard enough row to hoe without the imposition of an exorbitant increase in rates. British fair play demands that a tax should bo levied according to the taxpayer’s ability to pay. The policy adopted by the city fathers is hard on people of small means.—l am, etc., Amos Kalata. February 3. (.The City Valuer, a statutory officer who is not accountable to the City Council for his values, fixes the valuation of all city properties. On these valuations, which are made every year, the council rates on the rental value, and according to law, the rates may not be less than 5 per cent, of the fee simple. If a section and home are valued at say, £I,OOO, their rateable or rental value would be £SO, and on this amount the council fixes its charges. The local valuations have nothing whatever to do with the periodical Government valuations. One correspondent wishes to know if a glass house is rated. Yes, for it forms part of the capital and rental value of a property. During the slump years the city valuations slumped badly, and up to last year values had not then reached the 1932 level, but this year they are back to the pre-slump period. It is well for ratepayers to bear in mind that they may object to the valuations on their properties, and can lodge an objection with the Assessment Court, when evidence for and against the assessment made by the citv valuer is heard. The magistrate taking the Assessment Court thus has the last say and may, if he thinks fit. alter the valuation arrived at by the valuer. If rates have increased in some instances, this is due to an increase in valuation and not to any increase in the various water, hospital, and other rateable charges struck by the City Council.]