CORRESPONDENCE

Evening Star, Issue 23501, 15 February 1940, Page 16

CORRESPONDENCE

RATING VALUES. TO THE EDITOrt.

Sir. —The mild riot that has been caused by the rate increases has revealed several interesting facts that would bo amusing but for the tinpleasant fact that out pockets are being attacked at a time of rising costs all round. One fact that stands out like a bright star is that tho city valuer is responsible to no one for his actions. What a job! Would some kind person advise me what qualifications are necessary to obtain such a billet F_ Tho omnipotence of this (or these) job(s) awes me. To think that a good salary is obtainable without an accompanying boss is surely beyond the dreams of the most socialistic Socialist. The expert valuation of individual property certainly does not seem to be one of the qualifications, as 1 have been a ratepayer for over eight years, and the only contacts 1 have had with these people is a fleeting visit, with the stock question, “ Any improvements.” Never any question of “ any depreciation?” Mv case is probably an example of hundreds—that is, a wage earner rearing a family and struggling along hoping some day to have an equity in a home. Necessity forces me to invest in an old house, probably 40 to 50 years old, which to any ordinary per--son must quite naturally lie depreciating, but to the city valuer is-appre-ciating, because my rates have jumped £S. With a plentiful supply of borer, dry rot, falling plaster, leaking roof and spouting, etc.. 1 am intensely interested to know how and where my home has increased in value. I would willingly pay a substantial commission could 1 sell at the valuation set down by the valuer. „ , ~ . . . Another important fact disclosed m the report of the City Council meeting is that, although the valuer is paid out of municipal funds and is at the same time not answerable to those who provide the salary, the City Council has tho final say in striking the basic rate, so that we have the amusing situation of tho valuer being blamed for the increase in rates, but the council, whilst allowing him to carry the blame, can, if in its wisdom it thinks he has been too cruel, or too kind, balance it up when setting the basic rate. What does it matter to the average ratepayer who dips into his pocket? The paramount fact is that he has practically no redress, but has to pay up and shut Ul His Worship the Mayor stated that the city was devaluated by the Government 'Valuation Department. Here a wain I did not sec or hear of the individual who did the job, but merely received an account from my lawyers for 2gs, presumably to_ pay for this person's valuable services, but, in spite of this, I am rated a tidy sum in excess of the Government valuation, so that even these experts evidently cannot agree. Cr M'Millan's protest in reference to the tactics of the Citizens Association and its candidates at tho last elections should remind citizens that these people are rather clever at choosing their words. They told us that rates would rise if a Labour council was returned, but they didn t tell us that they would also rise it a Labour council was not returned. Again, whilst Mr Allan tries to smooth oyer the people’s protest by suavely quoting sections of the Rating Act to show us how innocent the council is, Cr Taverner awkwardly reminds us that “ two years ago the rates were increased, the reason being the council desired to employ a larger number of men: last year the council was able to-reduce rates by a penny”—surely a case of “ what we lose 'on the swings we gain on the , roundabouts.” and a plain indication that, although the valuers’ ratings are annoying and in. many cases ridiculous, in the final analysis the council will be fully responsible as to the actual amount we have to pay out, and that is the vital factor with a large percentage of struggling ratepayers whose memory will still be fresh at the next municipal elections, wlien the somnolent Citizens’ Association will arise with fresh tales to tell us.—-I am. etc., MiST.KT) RATEPAYER. [Our correspondent forgets (among other things) that there is an Assessment Court. —Ed. E.S.] CONSCRIPTION, TO THE EDITOR.. Si r —Mr James Bain, in his letter in your ’issue of 13th inst. refers to another correspondent and myself* as “ these two patriots.” Speaking for myself, 1 accept his description, and confess also 'to the gentle imputation that I would derive some satisfaction from the downfall of our present Government. But he is grossly wrong in suggesting, as he does, that any satisfaction 1 might derive from such a source would weigh against the desire for victory in the war. In the one matter'our petty local interests are involved; in tho other the issues are on a vastly different scale, and the main point of my letter was to protest against indulgence in party strife while the existence of the Empire is at stake. It matters little during the conflict whether we arc governed by Mr Savage or Mr Hamilton so long as the Government in office bends all its energies and powers to the prosecution of the war; and while so doing the Government should be left ■ free from hostile propaganda, and on its part shoujd accept the fact that external danger makes internal bickering untimely, and should refrain from controversial measures and all needless controversy. Acceptance of this view is all I ask of Mr Lee ar Mr Bain, or any other partisan, and the downfall of the Government can await a calmer and wiser time. Patriotism,, not Socialism or Capitalism, is what wo need now if we are to preserve freedom of choice among the many conflicting “ isms.” It is to Mr Bain’s credit that, while attacking mo, he makes no pretence of defending Mr Lee’s utterance, but seeks onlv to excuse it by reference to the latter’s political and military record. Mr Lee’s overwhelming majority is beside the point. So also is his war record. Neither gives him the right to stir up discord, or to make unworthy and unwise comments on the conduct of the previous war. What leads Mr Bain to write of a “ lack of patriotism to-day”? Does he do it for the pleasure which he takes in attributing its causation to a rrival political party, or does he seriously mean that it exists? Personally I have found little or no evidence of such a symptom; and, if Mr Bain’s experience differs, it is to be hoped he will devote his energies to its eradication. He will hot help towards that end by seeking to persuade people that our soldiers of 1914-18 were gulled into recruiting by false and impossible promises, or were weak enough to expect an earthly millennium as their reward. Can we not. for the time being, forget grievances and rivalries, and act in unison for the one great purpose on which the existence of the -Empire depends?—l am, stc., Disgusted. February 14.