SYSTEMS OF RATING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20679, 26 September 1930, Page 11

SYSTEMS OF RATING.

MOUNT ALBERT DISCUSSION*

QUESTION OF A POLL.

Systems of rating were disctissed at » public meeting called by the Mount Albert Terminus Ratepayers and Residents' Association last evening. Mr. P. Floyd, who presided, said the association, while/ desiring to be impartial, felt that in 1 the interests of ratepayers tho rather complex question should bo discussed.'

" Whatever system is adopted by local bodies it is clear that- the same total of j rales collected must be secured by the local authority," Mr. F. Haigh. The ' whole question was really on [what property value the rates should be calculated. Personally, he felt that tho annual value or rental value was the best basis. The rates should bo levied according to the services drawn from the local authorities. It was clear that a factory or a house cost a council more in services than a piece of land the same "size as that which the building occupied. Mr. Haigh said experience in Wellington and Dunedin, according to investigations made by the councils, had shown that in the early stages of development of a. district rating on unimproved values had been beneficial to some extent because it had forced the breaking.up of large sections, i After a certain stage, however, the process was intensified and the danger was that the breaking up was brought to a stage when sections became so small that slums were formed unless careful measures were taken. " Rating on unimproved values blots out gardens," was a quotation taken by Mr. Haigh from the Wellington City Council solicitor's report on tho question. The danger was particularly serious in times of depression when landowners, faced with the non-sale of their large properties. adopted the plan of splitting their land into pocket-handkerchief" sections and erecting jerry-built houses on them. The difference between the capital value and tho annual value systems of rating was not great but annual value offered the most equitable and beneficial rating system. " The present Mount Albert Borough Council had nothing to do with bringing the present rating system in and it will have nothing to do officially with putting it out," said Mr. L. E. Rhodes, Mayor of Mount Albert. "We ' shall, however, offer every facility for the. taking of a poli if the petition secures the requisite uumber of signatures."