RATING ON URBAN LANDS

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1929, Page 13

RATING ON URBAN LANDS

relief measure in house EFFECT UPON LOCAL BODIES. COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER BILL. The Hon. P. A. de la Perrclle, in moving the second reading of the Urban Farmlands Rating Bill in the House ot Representatives to-night, said he though it would have the support of all sides of the House. It had ceen based on the findings of the commission winch ha* inquired into the general question of ratin o- on urban farmlands and it was designed to give relief to many small farmers who were unable to cairy on in face of heavy municipal taxation. Mr. A. Hamilton said the Bill would •five justice to many farmers in local body districts, and he considered it was the best measure the Government had brought' forward this year. The two main provisions of the Bill refened to the rating powers of local bodies and the classification of land. The time 1 x.d come when the local bodies should consider whether they were collecting too much of their revenue in the form of rates. He contended property owners w< not always the best able to pay; there were other sources that could be tapped. At the present time owners of urban farm lands were not getting value for the money they paid in rates. It was important also that there should be some classification with respect to the value of land lest the heavy rating of local bodies should amount to confiscation. Mr. D..G. Sullivan suggested the local bodies should be given a further oppentunity of scanning the actual Bill. They had been supplied with copies of the report of the Commission but they had not seen the concrete proposals to be embodied in the legislation. The Bill was obviously going .to alfect the finances of local bodies and should therefore be considered by each local body that would be affected so that they could make representations to the Minister before the measure was put through its final stages. He suggested that if the burden were taken off the owners of land it would have to be borne by the workers. He was anxious that an injustice should not be done to one class while granting justice to another class. He felt sure a compromise could be reached if the course he suggested were followed. Sir Joseph Ward agreed that the finances of local bodies were affected and suggested the Bill should be referred to the Local Bodies Committee. Mr. J. G. Coates, rising to a point of order, said he hoped it was not intended to do anything that would sidetrack tho Bill. . Mr. W. D. Lysnar said he approved of the general principles of the Bill but he thought it went a little too far. Mr. H. E. Holland said the Prime Minister’s suggestion was a wise one. There was a general-feeling of sympathy with the principles of the Bill, but the Municipal Association had stated it desired certain amendments. Ho felt sure if the measure were referred to the Local Bills Committee the local bodies would be able to indicate the alterations they desired and the Bill could proceed in a more satisfactory form. Mr. H. G. Dickie (Patea) expressed support for the Bill, while Mr. J. McCambs urged that there should be nothing in tho nature of rush legislation when it would have such a widespread effect. Mr. W. J. Polson (Stratford) said he believed referring the measure to the Local Bills Committee would shorten the discussion on the subject. Mr. J. S. Fletcher said he wished again to take exception to the proposal to introduce an element of legislation by commission and Ordcr-in-C'ouncil. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle supported this attitude. Mr. W. T. Armstrong said he objected to curtailing the powers of local bodies. It would be better to empower local bodies to use their own discretion in granting relief. The Minister in replying assured the House that the Government -was desirous of placing the Bill on the Statute Book this session. Tho Bill was read a second time and referred to the Local Bills Committee.