BURDEN OF RATES AND TAXES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23026, 2 May 1938, Page 12

BURDEN OF RATES AND TAXES

Sir, —We hear everywhere general complaints of the serious drain of rates and taxes on the community, but do individual taxpayers work out just how heavy this imposition is? First, th« Government takes its whack unemployment tax, land tax, income tax (and tax on these taxes); then indirect taxes. These, we are informed, average (over the whole community, not the individual), 5s 6d in the pound, leaving 14s 6d to the taxpayer. But does the property owner or business man have 14s 6d left? Here the C;tv Council chips in. Before writer is a rate receipt for this year. On an assessed annual value (which approximately represents net income) there is 4s 3Jd in the pound for municipal rates, plus 4$ per cent on annual v alue for water rate —a total of just over 5s in the pound, or 25 per ce/it on annual value. Does the property owner or business man have 14s 6d_ in the pound left? So much for this year. What about next? In the example taken assessment has been increased, entailing (at present rates) an additional £25 in rates; already hospital levy is to be increased 35 per cent; it seems inevitable that general rates must be increased. We know the employment or the social service rate is to be raised to Is; and we have the Drainage Board (present rate 3d), with major drainage works in prospect, the Transport Board, with an uncomfortable deficit, and the Power Board, at present causing no anxiety, all with power to make individual levies on ratepayers —and. in addition, there is power "to raise further extensive loans without a poll of ratepayers. Alice Bastkn.