The Opunake Times TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30th 1923 MUNICIPAL RATING SYSTEMS.

Opunake Times, Volume LVV, Issue 3675, 30 October 1923, Page 2

The Opunake Times

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30th 1923 MUNICIPAL RATING SYSTEMS.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance. For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

Rating on unimproved values is exercising the minds of the people of Mataura, and the system is being adversely criticised. A special correspondent to the New Zealand Times states that the opposition is made stronger from the probability .of financial difficulty overtaking j some who have been hard hit by the I system, which, it is said, has been j partly responsible for the unfortunate } position in which many settlers find themselves today, When the Hon. G J Anderson, the Minister of Internal Affairs, was in the Mataura district recently a large deputation waited on. him protesting that the system would operate unfairly, having the effect of considerably increasing the rates of rural ratepayers. It is understood that similar demands were being made at Waimate, Rangiora, Fielding, and Mosgiel. The Minister, in reply to the deputation, said he could not hold out any hope of the request being granted, unless they could get all the boroughs concerned to cooperate and agitate together. Personally, he himself had always been opposed to rating on unimproved values, except in cities and places where there was congestion of population. He would, however, submit their representations } to the Minister in charge of Internal Affairs, and in the meantime suggested that they should get in touch with the settlers in other boroughs similarly affected, and also endeavour ito arrange for a resolution on the ! lines desired to be adopted by the . Municipal Conference. He assured the deputation of his sympathy and support in any action that was taken.