LOCAL BODIES REVENUES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10429, 29 April 1897, Page 3

LOCAL BODIES REVENUES.

TO THE KDITOl:. Sir,—The syscem of Government purchase of property has an effect which requires the attention of the various county and municipal authorities. So loinjns they areheld by the Government they-ccosu to pay rates. Jiach leesion can be observed that certain rateable properties are declared exempt from rates; in fact the present Government are very liberal with the revenues of the various local jsoveining bodie3. They lose nothing, aud can afford to be liberal in that direction. At present the exemptions in this city amount to a loss of £2500 per annum in rates. The question arises, is the system a fair one! Should not all properties without exemption be rated. They require the streets to be kept in good repair fronting sucb properties well lighted, drained, and «o maintained, police, Fire Brigades, and the appointment of eanitory and other officials. Why then should any properties be exempt? Many ol the Corporations and others who are exempt are very wealthy, and need no such exemption. The system is a vicious one, and open* the door to favouritism and corruption.—! m>l etc-i Reshoe Finem,