Capital Value Rating or Unimproved Value

Northland Age, Volume 6, Issue 30, 16 April 1937, Page 10

Capital Value Rating or Unimproved Value

Discussion at Conference of Farmers’ Union on Rating for Power Purposes At the Bay Sub - Provincial Farmers’ Union conference at Ohaeawai this week, a discussion centred round the basis of rating for Power Board purposes. A remit from the Waimate branch was tabled favouring rating on the capital value for power purposes, as this, it was contended, would relieve the rural ratepayers. It was pointed out that the Power Board had to rate on the system already in vogue in the district, and in the North this was on the unimproved value. To counter this, the supporters of the capital value system said that legislation could be enacted to alter this, as had been done by the Bay of Islands Harbour Board. Referendums of ratepayers had supported the unimproved value, and the ratepayers’ wishes should be taken and not legislative authority obtained to alter this, was the opinion of other members. “We in the Mangonui county cannot face the prospect of any rate at all,” said Mr. E. R. Bird in moving an amendment, that in view of the financial position of the counties concerned this conference is opposed to any scheme for electricity that will mean the rating on land, but considers capital value rating less obnoxious than rating on unimproved value. The amendment was carried and the motion defeated. Another remit that the cost of reticulation of the Bay of Islands Power Board area be on a co-operative basis was defeated, and the majority of the members considered that power reticulation for the whole of New Zealand should be on a national basis. “So long as the present Government will work with and for us, we will work with them.” Mr. J. W. Jones, Sub-Provincial President of Farmers’ Union. * * * * “The pakeha makes a god of commerce, and the training of his children has this in view ; not so the Maori, and I am not sure that the Maori is not right.” Mr. H. M. Rushworth, M.P. * * * * Coronation Carnival A meeting of the sub-committee appointed by the A. and P. Association to control the Carnival to be staged in Kaitaia on Coronation Day, was held last Friday evening when stewards and judges for the various events were appointed and necessary preliminary details finalised.