RATES ON CROWN LANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15965, 9 July 1915, Page 4

RATES ON CROWN LANDS.

LOCAL BODIES' DEMAND. LOSS OF REVENUE. [BY TELFGRATH. —PRESS ATIOS.] Wellington. Thur.-dav. The question whether the Government i should pay rates to local bodip.- on Crown ; Lands within such local bodies' boundaries* was discussed at a conference of representatives of Wellington suburban borough councils to-day. Mr. J. W. Mi K-vau. Mayor of Petone.. presided. He .--aid he considered the Government .'liquid pav i rates upon all lands owned by it and | coming within the jurisdiction of local bodies, with certain exemptions. -"ihich he enumerated. These included land upon which buildings utilised for public purposes were erected, such as dr : !l halls, courthouses, public school.-, en. He Contended also that when the Government acquired a large block «■:" land for settlement purposes, it should re.-o-rniso that i it was entering into competition with private enterprise. 3nd should pay rates accordingly. In Pettme the Government owned land valued .at somewhere near i £41,000. The rates lest by the Hult River Board on this account totalled about £1000 a year. After discussion it was decided that a deputation should approach the Prime Minister on the subject, and that the Municipal Association be asked t" assist. The meeting was also of opinion that the Government should pay rates upon all lands acquired by it for the purpose? of workers' homes, but that land occupied for drill halls, post offices, courthouses, and schools should be exempted.