Friendly Societies and the Property

Otago Witness, Issue 1787, 20 February 1886, Page 11

Friendly Societies and the Property

Tax. Wellington. February 10.

The Evening Post to-night makes the following announcement: — "Tho Property Tax Department, we understand, has issued notice to the various friendly societies for the purpose of taxing their ■ property, the bulk of which is invested for sick and charitable purposes. The Act exempts the property of local bodies, any soci vt y registered under "The Building Societies Act 1880, and (ill property of or vested in any body for public, charitable, or public educational purposes, but it docs not specify benefit societies in the list of exemptions, and therefore the property of the--e .societies is lo bo taxed. The friendly societies are very indignant at receiving notice, because the tax falls upon the fun Is obtained specially for the purpose of relieving distress and destitution. It is probable that some united action will be taken in the matter." Now 1 find on inquiry that this is a mare's ne&t. The notices issued by the Property Tax Department are simply those in connection with the Rating Act. Valuations are required by law to be furnished of all properties liable to be locally rated, and the Property Tax Department ih the instrument by which these valuations are made. All that has been done is to make a valuation of ratable values of the properties, and there is of course no intention of levying a tax upon them. The question of rating r'^sts entirely with local bodies withiu whose jurisdiction properties are situated.