RATING ON THE UNIMPROVED VALUE.

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

RATING ON THE UNIMPROVED VALUE.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Time and space will not altow of a reply in full to the many Pakowhai fruitgrowers who are writing in your paper on the above subject. The part that Pakowhai plays in the affairs of the Hawke’s Bay county hardly culls for a reply, but' for the danger of a snatch vote altering the system of rating which has produced such good results in Hawke’s Bay for 50 years, to one advocated by those who so far as the history and progress of Hawke’s Bay are concerned, are as yet unknown. A bare majority of the votes cast at this poll will decide the issue and it is of importance that the ratepayers of Hawke’s Bay should realise their danger for “behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth.” The farmers of Hawke’s Bay should set all other matters aside and at all costs record their votes, for once this change is made it cannot be undone for three years. At a time like this when ibe shcep-flirmcr (the man who nftwle

Hawke’s Bay ) is fighting for his financial existence and on whose success depends the welfare of us all, no further millstones should be tied round his neck. Hawke’s Bay was not made by the fruitgrower and ‘ ‘the tail should not wag the dog.” This province, as well as the rest of New Zealand, requires careful nursing to bring it back to financial health. When a patient has a high temperature it is wise for it to rest quietly in bed till its state becomes normal and not for it to get up to climb the mountains of the moon. In answer to Mr T. Muirhead Crawford’s fetter from Pakowhai, I must thank him on his temperate and sincere letter, but a man may be sincere and yet mistaken. The fundamental principle of taxation is that wealth pays, once, twice, and every time. When land represented the wealth of a country then it was right to tax land, but to-day land is a liability, and taxation, either on the unimproved or improved value, should cease. "While the law remains as it is capital value represents wealth more than unimproved, and of the two evils the lesser should be chosen. It may be wrong for a house at Pakowhai to be rated higher than a like one at Hastings, but don’t put it right by a system that makes a soldier settler in Waikare pay more rates than two large freezing works. Mr Frederick H. Reid, also of Pakowhai, raises little in his letter to answer. “Accountant’’ from Welling, ton should remain in practice in his own district. Hawke’s Bay has many accountants who can advise their clients how to vote. When the Wellington City’s financial position is as good as that of the Hawke’s Bay county then he can speak in his turn. “Waikare Settler” has a real grievance but that grievance is not the capital value. It is true that the roads and bridges should be paid for by those who use them and not by the land, but rating on the unimproved value would make the land pay more than it does now. His letter shows he has put his saddle on the wrong horse, “F.R.,” also of Pakowhai, has a letter with four instructions to those who need advice. Three out of the four are incorrect. (1) No elector has 33 votes—the biggest squatter—“ The man of a million acres”—can only cast three votes; (2) an absentee voter cannot give his vote to someone else; (3) the law does not say “that the whole county has to be revalued immediately after a successful poll.” “Honest Rating’s” letter is honest, but white it is a virtue to be honest a man must be wise as well. The light sheep country of Hawke’s Bay cannot pay its own rates and those of residential areas, factories, shops, hotels, schools, freezing works and fruit farms, as Mr Lassen pointed out. That would neither be wise nor honest.

Mr H. M. Thompson, still of Pakowhai, writes a good letter. I agree with him that some things that are 50 years old are out of date, but other things improve with age. Strength, and stability, fairness, the greatest good for the greatest number, the power to look evenly on both sides of a question, are not obsolete through age. There may be an unfairness in paying rates on fruit trees but the cure may be more serious than the disease. A farmet of long ago was warned not to pull up the tares lest he should pull up the wheat as well. To free the fruit trees from rating will also free residential areas, factories, shops and many others who- should carry a large share of the burdens of taxation. It is not correct to say that every farmer would make up the loss of rates on the freezing works—the) loss would be made up by the farmer in the Clive and Heretaunga ridings only. It is right that improvements should be rated as they are a visible sign of wealth, and wealth should pay. Tho farmer admits this and as a result the larger number of counties in Nell' Zealand rate on the capital value. —1 am ,etc., LEAVE WELL ALONE.

Leigh; club captain, P. Graham; vicecaptains, J. Heffernan, junr., and A. Jhristio, junr.; committee, Messrs \v. A. Nimon, A. Topp, sent., W. Penman H. Penman, L. Joll, A. Toop, junr., J. Carmichael, W. B. Clark, N. Bigby, E. F. Leicester, J. Leedom, 8. Estaugh, Ashcroft, Pankhurst, president, captain, vice-captains, handicapper, secretary, ex officio members; honorary handicapper, Mr D. B. Mackay; representatives on Baths Committee, Messrs E. F. Leicester and W. A. Nimon; postponement committee, Messrs W. A. Nimon, 8, Estaugh, E. F. Leicester; honorary auditor, Mr W. B. Clarke; trustees to operate bank account, president and treasurer. Officers to control carnivals: Announcer, Mr N. Bigby; official starter, D. Mackay; official timekeeper, Mr A. Toop, junr.; call steward, Mr L. Joll; check starters, Messrs W. Penman and V. Carmichael; official judges, Messts S. Estaugh, A. Toop, eenr., Pankhurst; assistant to secreteary, Mr H. Penman; diving judge, Mr W. A. Nimon; coaches, captain and vice-captains. GOLF CLUB MEETING. The annual general meeting of the Havelock North Golf Club was held last evening, Dr. W. Reeve presiding over, a fajr attendance of members. The following president’s annual report was submitted to the meeting and adopted.— “The season, from both a golfing and financial point of view had been a most successful one, and it . is gratifying to the committee to know that the members have appreciated the playing conditions available. “Membership.—The club is still increasing in popularity which is evidenced by the increase in members and also by the amount received in green fees. “Finance.— We started the season with a small credit balance and thanks largely to the manner in which subscriptions came in, and by careful management, we were able to finish the season still in credit. With payments and adjustments in rents and other expenses we expect to start next season, with a small credit balance. This result, considering the amount of work done and improvements. carried out to the course during the season, must be considered very satisfactory, and augurs well for the future of the club. “Course. —During the season the course was extensively bunkered and other improvements such as new teee, stiles, bridges, etc., carried out. One new green was made available for pltay and the grounds committee hopes that the remaining two in course of preparation will be ready for the coming season. The playing conditions have been much improved as a result of the appointment of a greenkeeper to do five days’ work per week, and also the hiring of the Town Board’s motor mower for the cutting of the greens. Your committee desires to record their appreciation of the grounds committee’s work during the season. “Dance. —A dance was held in June for the purpose of raising funds for trophies, and it turned out an unqualified success, both from a social' and financial aspect. After appropriating sufficient money for trophies a surpjus of £3 2/4 was shown. Ths club is indebted for this success to the ladies committee who worked so hard to attain this end, and also to those who gave their services so willingly. “Inter-club matches.—Home and return matches were played against the Hastings and Parkvale clubs. Although we were not successful! in winning any of the matches, all the games were thoroughly enjoyed, and we hope next season, with more experience behind us, to be able to hold our own.

“Competitions have been carried on throughout the season, and great interest has been shown. The men’s championship was won by Mr H. R. von Dadelszen, and the ladies’ championship by Mrs 0. J. Beauchamp. “Your committee desires to express their heartiest appreciation to the Indies’ club for their splendid support given during the season. “It is with much regret that the committee has to record the resignation of the secretary, Mr E. J. Brathwaite, who has left for Taranaki. During the past season he carried out his duties in a most efficient and tactfull manner and the success achieved has been to a great extent due to liis efforts. The committee took the opportunity before his departure, of voting Mr Brathwaite an honorarium for his past services to the club.” Officers elected for the ensuing year are as follows.—President, Dr. W. Reeve; vice-presidents, Messrs G. Husheer. W. N. Barron. M. Chambers, W. L. C. McLean; club captain, Mr H. R. von Dadelszen; secretary, Mr E. D. Anderson; treasurer, Mr. D. Gilbertson; honorary solicitor, Mr Rramwell; honorary auditor, Mr W. Clark; committee, president, club captain, secretary and treasurer (ex ofßv’io)), Messrs Cotterill, S. Estaugh,

Chaplin, W. Clark and G. Maitland. Subscriptions for the ensuing, year were raised 10/6 for seniors on tne motion of Mr H. R. von Dadelszen. The matter of restricting week-end play of juni.or members was left in the hands of the committee. A committee consisting of Messrs von Dadelszen and Gilbertson was set up to meet Mr McLean in regard to the tease of the links wjth power to finalise the matter.’ TEA AND CONCERT. The annual tea and concert of St. Columba’s Presbyterian Sunday School was held in the school-room last evening, where about one hundred children assembled for tea. The concert, which followed the tea, was given by the children, who had been trained by their teachers. The performance of the children was excellent, and all the items were highly applauded. Special mention must be made of Mrs. Scott’s orchestra, whose items were very popularly received. At the conclusion of the entertainment, the Rev. B. B. JVaugh briefly thanked all present for their support, and also the children and the teachers for the splendid entertainment. GENEBAL NEWS. The Havelock North Baths Committee acknowledges with thanks receipts of the following donations to date for the baths funds: —Mr. H. B. Elder, £1 1/-; Mr. H. E. Sturge, £1 l/-; Mr. W. N. Barron, £l. The Sports Club’s annual general meeting will be held in the , Town Board Hall at 7.30 on Monday evening next. All those interested in. the welfare of the club, whether members or intending members, arc requested to *ttend. Attention is drawn to the postponement of the address which was to be given by Mr. James Thorn on Tuesday next. Mr. Thorn’s visit to this district has been postponed until aftei the Motueka by-election, in which he will be taking part in support of the Labour candidate.

The next of the series of concerts given in aid of the Unemployed Ration Fund at Havelock will be presented on Thursday November 10, instead of as arranged next week, when a first-class programme will be submitted. The committee engaged in arranging these entertainments have been encouraged by the appreciation shown by their patrons and have spared no efforts to make this and succeeding concerts enjoyable and successful. A full twohour programme of vocal, instrumental aiid dancing items is being presented, and supper will be served, with dancing to follow till 12 o ’clock at a slight extra charge. Havelock residents have shown by their attitude that these functions are appreciated and there is no doubt that the Ration Fund will benefit on the night of November 10 as well as a splendii,evening’s entertainment beiug provided.