The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1885. SIR JULIUS VOGEL'S NEW RATING PROPOSALS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 148, 28 May 1885, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1885. SIR JULIUS VOGEL'S NEW RATING PROPOSALS.

The Dunedin Eoening Star m an article upon the circular issued by the Colonial Treasurer to local bodies relative to the adoption of the Rating Act, 1882, regards the circular as preliminary to a proposal, probably included m the Bill for the reform of local government, to make it compulsory on all local bodies to accept the Property Tax Assessment for the purpose of rating, and also the principle. jof capital instead of: annual , valuation. In view of this opinion (writes a southern contemporary) being correct, it behoves all local bodies to be very watchful, for it is just possible that the change contemplated may result m a still further limitatiou of their already scanty resources. The adoption of the Property Tax Assessment is at present optional and fortunately so, for some local bodies m this district discovered when the subject was before them some time ago, that had they adopted it, it would have been to their serious loss, as many properties were much undervalued, and not a few were omitted altogether. The cost of valuation by themselves is a mere trifle, it is generally done by the Clerk, or some other officer who is intimately acquainted with every property m the district, and is probably as good a judge, of the valnes as the owners themselves. Nor dj> we see what advantage would be gaiaed by rating on the capital instead of the annual value, unless it could be shown that there was also ah advantage m accepting the Property Tax Assessment. There is certainly room for much improvement m our local government system, but we regard these propositions of the present Government as improvements m the wrong direction. The Local Government Acts of Major. Atkinson and his colleagues were a huge mistake, and have been an unspeakable nuisance ever since they became law; and if the reformed Local Government system of Mr Stout and his Ministry is all based on the same lines as are these propositions concerning rating they will prove a greater mistake and as complete a nuisance as those whose place they take.