EFFECTS OF UNIMPROVED RATING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 270, 29 October 1932, Page 9

EFFECTS OF UNIMPROVED RATING

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The opponents of unimproved rating have discovered what, to county ratepayers, is merely another mare’s nest—this time at ■ Taradale, which is a Town Board district and not a rural district at all. An attempt is made to fasten on the unimproved rating system al 1 ! blame for ills that may have befallen certain farmlets in Tarfidale. This question crops up in connection with every poll. When there was a poll in Dunedin city some two years ago there were most pathetic pleas in the press about the owners of farmfets in the city who provide milk and vegetables for the citizens. Some years ago the Hon. A. D. McLeod projected legislative proposals to reduce the valuation upon the farming lands in boroughs. He lost his seat at the ensuing general election, however, and since his return to Parliament has remained quiescent on the point, but his friends in the Farmers’ Union have tong since initiated an agitation for the entire derating of rural lands. Hence it is practically certain that if derating of rural lands is carried an irresistible demand will then arise for the derating of rural lands in boroughs, and finally there will be a demand for genera! derating, the unfortunate curriers and proprietors of motor vehicles generally bearing the burden at present carried by rates. I mention this to show the innocuous implication behind the proposals put forward here and there to meet individual cases. Of course, if derating was at once applied to farm lands in boftughs, the land sharks would start planting potato patches or tomatoes in order to escape rates. However, legislation already exists to meet genuine hardship. For example, there is section 2 of the Valuation of Land Amendment Act, 1927, which provides that in any borough where rating on the unimproved value is in force, the Governor-General may direct a re-valuation of one or more properties to the exclusion of others. Again, there is section 8 of the Municipall Corporations Amendment Act, 1928, which provides for the reduction of valuation of farming lands in boroughs when the same is not suitable for sub-division for building purposes. This section is put into operation when the council passes a resolution recommending reduced valuation. Finally, there is section 32 of the Valuation of Lands Act. 1925, which authorises reduction or values when fends are Used as show grounds, sports grounds, or, for any other public purpose.—l am, etc. “REFORM.” tjaumoana, October 28, 1932.