UNIMPROVED RATING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20690, 9 October 1930, Page 16

UNIMPROVED RATING.

VACANT HOUSE REFUND. QUESTION OF EXEMPTION. EFFECT ON THE NORTH SHORE. An authoritative report on tho position with respect, to the desired exemption from the provision of section 69 of the Rating Act, 1025, where districts collect rates on the unimproved value, or land value only, has been received by the Mayor of Takapuna, Mr. J. W. Williamson, from Mr. F. M. Martin, secretary to tho Municipal Association. This has been made available to the Norlli Shore boroughs.

Mr. Martin states:—"l may first state that I have several times written to the Minister urging that (his section should be amended so as not to be applicable where rating on the unimproved valuo is in force. Tho position seems to havo been that Mr. 11. CI. 11. Mason, M.P., added to tho bill already brought down by him a clause practically repealing section 69 altogether. This clauso was defeated, as was also an amendment that section 69 do not apply to unimproved value rating. The reason, I am informed, why this amendment was defeated was not so much that tho principlo was disapproved of, as that members of tho House considered that it was being thrust upon them without the opportunity of proper consideration. It was felt that further consideration should bo given to the question, not only in so far as unimproved valuo rating was concerned, but to the whole question of the incidence of the exemption, and that it would be better for the matter to be reviewed by the Government during the recess, with a view to an amendment being brought down next session to remove all anomalies under the section. The Minister may have brought down a Government measure this session, but Mr. Mason's bill forestalled him, with tho result that, "in view of tho expressions of opinion given in the House, and tho adverse vote, there is no possibility of anything being done this session." Tho Noribcoto Borough Council decided to approach the acting-Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Affairs, and to express tho hope that tho Government would yet be able to give effect to the strong desire for exemption from section 69, in the case of unimproved rating, before the session ended. A telegram from Mr. 11. G. R- Mason, M.l\, read at a meeting of the Birkenhead Borough Council last evening, stated that he regretted to report that, in spite of his best efforts, the llouso rejected the proposed alterations of section 69 of tho Rating Act. . The Mayor, Mr. J. P. McPhail, said apparently thero was to be no amending legislation this session, and it would therelore be necessary to meet claims as they came for refunds in respect of houses vacant for six months of the year. Tho new interpretation of the law would make n big difference to the finances of local bodies {in.'UM'inij on r«itcs struck on unimproved value.