BOROUGH RATING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20243, 1 May 1929, Page 16

BOROUGH RATING.

SYSTEM AT MOUNT EDEN.

ADDRESS BY MR. O'REGAN

Systems of borough rating were discussed by, Mr. P. J. O'Rcganj of Wellington, in an address in the Empire Theatre, Mount Eden, last evening. The speaker referred particularly to 1 rating on unimproved values, in connection with which thero is to be a poll of ratepayers next Monday. Mr. G. Wildish presided. Mr. o'Regan challenged the statement made by the Mayor that rating on unimproved values would bo disastrous to the borough. There were 119 boroughs in New Zealand and 77 had now adopted tho system. It had likewise been adopted in 54 out of the 129 counties, to say nothing of many independent" town and road districts. The best exemplification of the system was afforded by the City of Wellington. There the ratepayers two years ago had placed all tho rates on tho unimproved value after having had tlio system partially in operation J'or 25 years.

Wellington City occupied 23 square miles, and over that area there was now a total rate of in the pound on the unimproved value. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce, in its latest annual report, had claimed for that city the honour of pride of place: for the Dominion- in the matter of building. These facts could be set against tho unwarranted pessimism of the Mayor of Mount Eden.

According to the latest official figures, the capital value of Mount Eden was £5,250,959, of Ivhich the unimproved value represented £2,038,403. The revenue from rates last year was £57,290, which was equivalent to a rate on the capital value of 2.6 d in the pound. If tho ratepayers decided to exempt, their improvements from taxation, the total rate would have to bo increased to about 6.7 din the pound. The practical result would lie that the great majority of the ratepayers would pay less than under the present system. The speaker answered a great many questions, after which a resolution was carried pledging support to the proposed change in rating.