LOCAL BODY TAXATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1930, Page 8

LOCAL BODY TAXATION.

The decision of the executive of the Municipal Association of New Zealand to make a special investigation of the whole question of local body taxation and revenue will meet with the general approval of ratepayers. The attempt to arrive at an equitable system for rating farm lands within urban districts has led the executive to see that a recasting of local body taxation may be desirable. It condemned entirely the proposals in regard to the rating of farm lands made in the Bill introduced in the last session of Parliament, and it followed that an alternative suggestion must be made. It is satisfactory to note that the trend of municipal opinion is in the direction of widening the scope of relief for farmers occupying lands within a borough. The Government suggested relief up to 30 per cent, of the rates levied, no area of less than three acres being eligible for relief. The Municipal Association’s executive proposes that relief may be up to 40 per cent, and the area alfected be smaller than three acres if the local body deems that desirable. The suggestion seems to aim at giving more latitude to local authorities, who must be expected to have full knowledge of local conditions, and is more likely to appeal to municipal bodies than legislation which gives no opportunity for granting special relief where circumstances seem to warrant such action. The proposal to submit decisions of local bodies to an independent tribunal has a good deal to commend ?, though care must be taken to avoid undue legal expense to the ratepayer seeking relief. The executive’s considered recommendation is to be forwarded to the Minister within the next two weeks, and this should make it possible to bring, down the necessary legislation in the next session. That relief is overdue is undoubted, a fact that both the Minister and the Municipal Association at length appear to recognise.