SYSTEM OF RATING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18233, 28 October 1922, Page 10

SYSTEM OF RATING.

JtINIMPROVED VALUES. LOCAL BODIES' POWERS. WIDER SCOPE DISAPPROVED. [VX WtKOIUPH.—StKCtAI, RBTOBTEbI i .WELLINGTON. Friday. A now clause in the Bating Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor-General's message : in 'the House this evening, fixing the scale of charges to be made in connection with the sale of native lands on account of unpaid rates. ■ In Committee, Mr. B. McCallum (Wairau) opposed the application of rating on the unimproved values by local bodies without the ratepayers* approval. Mr. R. A. Wrijjihfc (Wellington Suburb*) -supported the objection, pointing out that the result of rating on the unimproved values in Wellington had been to increase rents and create the possibilities of making slums. It also tended to have a detrimental effect on the city's, revenue. The Hon. J. A. Hanaii (Invercargill) said members of local bodies should surely be trusted with authority to determine the system of rating. If not, they should not be elected. Mr. A. ■ £>. 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 The clause should be withdrawn.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 £o shift the burden of taxation from the large business enterprises oh to the workers. He moved the deletion of clause 2. The Minister for Internal Affairs, Hon. W. Downie Stewart, indicated that in view of the opposition that was apparent and in order to avoid delay, he would be prepared to drop the clause. On .a division, clause 2 was struck out by 41 votes to 17, and the Bill was reported with this amendment, The Bill was then read a third time and passed... ' . ' ,

Clause 2 of the bating Amendment. Bill read: In any district in which the system of rating on the unimproved value was in force prior to October 21, 1911 (beinj? the date of the commencement of the Rating Amendment Act, 1911), and'a poll pursuant to sub-section 2 of section 2 of that Act has not been taken, the local authority may, by special order, declare that the Baid system shall apply to water rates, gas rates, electric light sewage rates, and hospital and charitable aid rates, as well as to, other rates leviable under, the,principal Act, and,such system shall apply. accordingly in terms of the special order.

SCAFFOLDING BILL. SEVERAL AMENDMENTS. INSPECTORS' QUALIFICATIONS. tBZ XEKEQBAPH. —SPECIAL BrPURTES-] WELLINGTON. Friday The Scaffolding and Excavation Bill was reported from the Labour Bills Committee to-day with amendments. The committee had removed work in connection with a tramway from the operation of the Act. The interpretation clause has ' been amended to read : "Excavation shall mean any work in connection with preparing or excavating foundations for buildings, or for sewerage, gas, water, or electric supply, where such work is more than five feet deep from the ton of the excavation." - • The clause dealing with the appointment of « inspectors is amended to provide that no ■ person shall be appointed an inspector unless he passes such examination by a representative board to' be set up under regulations as may be prescribed to'test" nia knowledge of the erection 1 and use of scaffolding and building appliances - ■ *' :" , ."' ■ r: clause states' that any person may' be appointed : temporarily as an in specter for any period, not exceeding two months, without having passed the prescribed examination, and if necessary for the more effective . .carryfrfg out of the objects of the Act be may-be reappointed for any farther period not exceeding two months, but not for more than three periods of two months each successively. In the case of the risk of i fall of 10ft. or more the original Bill required that notice of intention to erect a scaffold or do building work should be given to an inspector. This is now amended to read 12ft. ■ A further amendment requires immediate notification in the case of any emergency arising from damage caused by the blockage or breakdown of any seWer or any gas or electric supply. ' The time within which the owner or person in charge of building work, scaffolding, excavation or geai\ who has been given any direction or notice by an inspector' may appeal to a magistiate is extended from 24 to 48 houra.

" WASHING-UP rt BILL.

ADDITIONAL CLAUSES.

Ibx tslkoeaph.—stscial WELLINGTON, Friday. Additional clatsses to the "washing-up" Bill were' introduced this evening. ;A clause authorises the Costley Training Institution Trust Board to expend moneys of the board in contributing toward # the maintenance of young people apprenticed to trades or professions or other approved employment, and in assisting boys and girls in such manner as the board thinks fit to obtain the benefits of secondary or higher education. It is not necessary for the boy or girl to have been an inmate of an industrial school to receive assistance, but no payment ii to be made unless ' the boy or girl has been approved by an officer of the Education Department. In December, 1920, the One Tree Hill Road Board raised a loan of £7000 for the purpose of making additions to the existing waterworks plant by installing filters and new machinery. .This loan was secured by a special rate on all the ratable property throughout the board's district. In. December. ,1920, the board also raised a loan of £5800 for the purpose of extending the water supply throughout: a special area of the district, the loan being secured by a special rate on *ill the ratable property within the special area. The works for which £7000 was raised cost only £4079, and the £5800 raised for work in the special area having proved insufficient, the board is now authorised to expend the "balance, £2931, toward completing the extension of the water supply in the -special area-

/'MOSTLY OF LACE."

MINISTER'S INEXPERIENCE. [BZ TJXEGEATH. — RFKCIAI, REPORTER.] ' '" WELLINGTON. Fridsy. "I am not vesy familiar with clothing that consists mostly of lace," said the Minister for'-Internal Affairs, Hon. W. D. Stewart, in the House of Representatives. The • admission waa drawn from the Minister by Mr. W. 8. Glenn (Rangitikei), who had a question about raffles, Some people, in the Rangitikei district had wished to raise money for a tennis club, and had conceived the idea of raffling a garment which consisted mostly of band-made lace. But the department ruled that the garment did not comewithin the definition of a work of art and would not issue; a permili for the raffle. Mr, Glenn .thought that the ruling was unfair and, unreasonable. The ; Minister said he. would be glad to consider.the question, but he could not alter the. law at a moment's notice. He had not seen the garment. Perhaps there was not enough lace on it. to satisfy official rcguimnenta. . --...,•-..