UNIMPROVED VALUE RATING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20649, 22 August 1930, Page 14

UNIMPROVED VALUE RATING.

Sir, —Your correspondent W. A. Nesbitt says that Papatoetoe since adopting tho above system of ratiqg has continued to progress, iu spite of the slump, quite ignoring the impetus given by a concrete road. It would be surprising if the district had not progressed commensurate with the increasing population. Tajsapuna under the good old system. progressed wonderfully, even during the war. The Town Board of Papatcetoe. in common with other local bodies, requires to rata improvements because they necessitate SO' much more expenditure in providing corresponding amenities. Those building' houses have never been deterred in their 1 purpose on account of the extra rating entailed. They build because it is more profitable to do so and for the purpose of obtaining a good return for their expenditure. I defy your correspondent to cita a case to the contrary. So much for his assertion that "the .board would like to tax people for providing work for thi» tradesmen." We only have Mr. Nesbitt's word for saying that Hamilton, Tan ran pa and Te Aroha are still satisfied with tha unimproved system. Other districts could be cited that have reverted to the old system, notwithstanding that the involves considerable cost and formalities. Sine Xomixe.