RATING POWERS DISCUSSED AT MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE

Grey River Argus, 17 February 1949, Page 6

RATING POWERS DISCUSSED AT MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE

Effect of New Valuations

P.A. NAPIER, February 16. Increased borough valuations, which meant substantial rises in hospital levies, although the levies were stabilised at a 2id in the pound on ’the capital value, were the subject of comment at the Municipal Association conference. A remit advocating that the levy should be fixed on the 1946’ values, when the new system came into force, was moved by Mr W. P. Harthstonge (Mosgiel), who said that valuations had risen in many cases by 75 to 100 per cent. Hospital levies had risen accordingly, so that they had not been truly stabilised.

After other speakers submitted that the new system was as equitable as possible, the remit was lost. The conference adopted a remit advocating an amendment in the Rating Act to permit hospital rates to be levied on the capital, instead cf the unimproved values. MAORI RATES

The present unsatisfactory system of collecting Maori rates, many of which were unpaid, caused criticism of Government policy to be voiced at the conference. The Government is to be asked to make compromise payments forthwith to compensate local bodies for unpaid rates, and a request for the implementation of alterations to the existing of collecting rates is also to be made. A remit to this effect was adopted on the motion of Mr K. W. Low (Te Kuiti) who said that one of the greatest; domestic problems facing New Zealand was the future of the Maori race. If the present rate of increase in Maori populations was maintained, they would outnumber the Europeans in 50 years. “The Government’s policy is to grant them eaual status and equal rights, but it overlooks the fact that there are no rights without corresponding obligations”, he said.

LOANS FOR WORKS A move that the Government be asked to arrange, through the Reserve Bank, for loan moneys to be made available for municipal authorities for non-trading capital works, at twp per cent, interest or less, received a measure of support at the conference. However, after the president, Mr W. Appleton, pointed out that the Government itself could not raise money at less than three per cent., the remit was lost.

RATES ON CROWN LANDS The attitude that the Government should pay full rates on all properties owned by the Crown, was strongly advanced at the conference. It was felt that local bodies were virtually subsidising the Crown for State housing and Government building projects. Four remits covering different aspects of the matter were approved, but were referred to the executive for further consideration.

LOCAL BODY HOUSES So that local bodies can secure possession of houses owned by them and occupied by former employees, who refuse to shift from the houses after leaving the employ of the local body, efforts are to be made by the Municipal Association to have houses owned by local bodies exempted from the provisions of the Tenancy Act. This was decided at the conference this afternoon, when a number of delegates declared that many bodies wore finding it impossible to secure the possession of houses owned by them. It was said that applications, through legal channels, were being dismissed, despite the provision of the Act, which was only enacted last year, to cover this point.

MORE SPENDING POWER . Legislation enabling municipalities to spend money on any activity for the betterment of the community, is to be sought by the Association. This was decided when it was stated that the legality of expenditure on the salaries of publicity officers, or expansion and development committees was in doubt. On the suggestion of the president, Mr W. Appleton. the motion also included taking land adjoining a borough for use as a park or sports ground.

building offences Higher penalties for offences under the 'Municipal Corporation Act are being sought by the Association, which decided to recommend to the Minister of Internal Affairs that the maximum penalty for offences under the Act be increyfed from £2O to £oo. Mr E. H. Andrews (Christcnurch) said that the present penalties were not large enough to act as u deterrent. It was made clear that the recommendation did not apply to traffic offences, which are dealt with under a separate Act. The conference also favoured the wider application of the provisions for continuing offences, with a suggestion that the erection of buildings without permits should come under this classification. A remit dealing with this was referred to the executive.