TAXATION

Southland Times, Issue 21073, 3 May 1930, Page 8

TAXATION

URBAN FARM LANDS POSITION OF LOCAL BODIES COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, May 2. Important decisions concerning local body taxation and the rating of urban farm lands were arrived at at a meeting in Wellington to-day of the executive of the Municipal Association of New Zealand. Announcing the results to the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle), the Mayor of Feilding (Mr C. E. Taylor) stated that a special committee had been appointed to investigate the whole question of local body taxation and revenue in New Zealand. The personnel is as follows: Mr M. F. Luckie (Deputy-Mayor of Wellington), Mr G. A. Lewin (Town Clerk, Dunedin), P. Skoglund (Town Clerk, Stratford), Mr W. J. Rogers (Mayor of Wanganui), Mr T. Jordan (Mayor of Masterton), Mr J. O. Shea (City solicitor, Wellington). and Air C. E. M. Taylor (Mayor of Feilding). “The questions concerned in the inquiry are due for review,” said Mr Taylor. “We desire to find a system of taxation that will be fair for the whole Dominion and for all classes of ratepayers. The committee the executive has to-day set up to go into the whole matter will meet from time to time in Wellington to see if it can bring forward to the association's next- conference, proposals designed to place local body taxation on a better basis.” “It seems to be a very good move,” commented the Minister. Farm Lands in Boroughs. Mr Taylor informed the Minister also that the executive would forward to him within a fortnight, a special report setting out what legislative action they considered necessary on the question of the rating of urban farm lands. The association asked that the report be given legislative effect to. At the executive meeting yesterday it had been decided to urge that councils be allowed to give relief up to 40 per cent., instead of 30 per cent, as proposed originally, and that the area affected be reduced below the three acres proposed if the local body decided by resolution to give relief in such cases. “The association is desirous of giving relief,” added Mr Taylor, “but we do not desire a full classification of our boroughs to give relief to a number of ratepayers.” He mentioned that another new suggestion of the executive was that decisions of councils could be reviewed by a tribunal consisting of either a Magistrate alone or a Magistrate, and two assessors whose decision would be final.

The Minister: Was that a unanimous decision of your conference? Mr Taylor: Yes, and a second resolution was carried condemning the Bill promoted last year.

The Minister said he was glad Mr Taylor had dealt with the question. Some form of rating relief was absolutely essential. The representations of the conference would receive his fullest consideration.