THE CITY'S BUDGET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18692, 24 April 1924, Page 6

THE CITY'S BUDGET.

The most striking feature of the financial statement presented to the City Council by the Mayor last evening is the announcement of a reduction of one penny in the total rates and of one-fifth in the water rate, the first concessions in municipal taxation after a period of advances to the figure of 3s lid at which it has stood for three years. The rebate will be only a small fraction of the total chargeto the majority of ratepayers the reduction of the water charge means more than the penny reduction of rates but it will be welcomed as substantial evidence of economy and efficiency in administration. Mr. Gunson explains that the concession has been possible because the aggregate valuation is higher, and this increase has no doubt been principally due to the erection of new buildings. Actually, the lower rate will produce considerably more than last year's charge on the lower valuation. Additional resources are, however, necessary to enable the council to maintain the multifarious public services and to proceed with developments necessafry to satisfy a community which, as the Mayor justifiably observes, sets an increasingly exacting standard. In that respect, the council has a greater task than the responsibility of supervising established services. It has to find the means to harmonise the inconsistency of ratepayers who, as a body, grumble at the rates and complain that more should be spent. The difficulty is illustrated by the Mayor's reference to the condition of secondary streets. Revenue has been used as far as possible to maintain such streets while loan money has been spent on main thoroughfares, but ratepayers who do not reside in streets of the latter class are not satisfied with the general benefit while their own are neglected. The discontent may not be logical, but it is natural, and Mr. Gunson proposes to meet it by " a comprehensive programme " of improvements in secondary streets, provided sanction is given for the inevitable loan. There will be further opportunity for considering the point, but it may be remarked that while this year's general rate is estimated to produce £141,000 to cover a multitude of services, the net charge on the rates for interest on city debt is £109,000. The fundamental fact is that if ratepayers demand a high standard they must be prepared to pay the cost.