“MUCH ADO ABOUT”̶?

Evening Star, Issue 23527, 16 March 1940, Page 12

“MUCH ADO ABOUT ”̶?

With the. State taxation in this country ’so heavy, it was not surprising that there was irritation on the part of many citizens when they found that their valuations had been increased. A little, reflection, however, should have shown them that they had no real grievance. : An attempt was made to make a scapegoat of the City Council in the issue, and criticisms were levelled at the city valuer. The position was clearly explained when the agitation arose, it being pointed out that the corporation had ho responsibility in the matter, and that the valuer was merely carrying out his normal functions as. provided by law. Nevertheless, a rush was made, which was encouraged for political endsj to secure the intervention, of the Assess-ment-Court. The exaggerated nature of, the agitation worked up, was made apparent by the, result. In ordinary times a few appeals are lodged, because in a work of such magnitude discrepancies are liable to appear, and individuals are justified in having' their assessments'examined; but the sitting of the court just ended was in some .respects, t , farcical. , to,,.the rateable' values assessed totalled. 1,034. 5 In 992 of ythe cases nothing was, done. They iwere : 'eitHer.withdrawn or-strpck out "because of., no’ appearance -of (the objectors. So far. as the actual? hearings' were concerned, the valuer’s figures' : were sustained in fifty-two instances, and ten reductions were made. In his comments at the closing of the court, Mr ''J: R. Bartholomew, S.M., paid a tribute to the city solicitor and the city valuer and his staff for the excellent classification and arrangement of the mass of details that' fiad to be considered." One good' effect of the sitting is that. in'-the words of Mr Bartholomew, many legal questions have been determined, and'' the .position should be much clarified for the. future.

The publicity given to-the matter has stimulated interest in the' unimproved rating system. In 1934 a poll was taken in Duriedin on the proposal, and it was decisively defeated. Now a movement is afoot to have another vote on the matter in this city. It is interesting to note that at the recent meeting of the’ municipal conference in Wellington there was a. discussion’ on rating systems based on a remit by the executive suggesting that legislation be enacted providing that city, borough, and town distriqt rating be entirely on the basis of the annual value, Because of lack of time, the question was held over for full discussion till next year. Many people will agree with the comment of the Mayor of Masterton that the unimproved rating system has long since served its purpose, as large areas of land held for speculative reasons are no longer an evil. What is a,t the root of the present agitation—apart from politics—is the fact that, following the depression, community-created values have increased. It will be the function of the City Council to strike the rates later on. The broad principle is that the expenses of running the city services have tb be met, and there is no reason to suppose that they would be lighter under another system." In any ease, this rating discussion is i small matter when compared, with the issues that are facing the Empire at the pre-: sent moment.