RATING SYSTEM.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 28 October 1922, Page 12

RATING SYSTEM.

NATIVE LANDS

' UNIMPROVED VALUES. i A new.clause in the Rating Amendment Bill was introduced in the House to-night by Governor-General's Message, fixing the scale of charges to be made in connection with the sale of native lands on account of unpaid rates. In committee, Mr. R. McCallum (Wairau) opposed applications for ratj ing on unimproved values by local

bodies without the ratepayers' ap- ' proval. Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) supported the objection, pointing out that the result of rating on unimproved values in AVellington had been to increase rents and create possibilities for making slums. It also tended to have a detrimental effect on a city's revenue. The Hon. J. A. Hanan (Invereargill) said members of local bodies should surely be entrusted with authority to determine the system of rating; if not they should not be selected. Mr. A. D, McLeod (Wairarapa) said rating on the unimproved value in cases of small townships meant practically confiscation by driving suburban land suited for ■ nothing but farming into disuse. The clause should be withdrawn. Sir John Luke (Wellington North) said rating on the unimproved value tended to shift the burden of taxation from big business enterprises on to the workers. He moved the deletion of Clause 2. The Minister of Internal Affairs in- , dicated that, in view of the opposition that was apparent and to avoid delay, he would be prepared to drop the clause. On a division Clause 2 was struck out by 41 votes to 13. The Bill was reported with this amendment, read a third time, and passed.