RATING ON UNIMPROVED VALUES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16421, 23 April 1919, Page 6

RATING ON UNIMPROVED VALUES.

MEETING AT FITZROY. A meeting of Fitzroy ratepayers was hold on Tuesday evening to consider the question of rating on unimproved values in view of the poll which is to bo held on April 30. Mr. E. Griffiths presided and explained that Mr. W. Nash had been invited to address tho meeting, which had boon called with the idea of obtaining information which would assist ratepayers in deciding on a system which was best for the community as a whole. Mr. Nash quoted figures to compare New Plymouth with Gisborne, where the system of rating was based on unimproved value, ilo proceeded to explain how tho system now followed in New Plymouth operates and the grounds on which he claimed that the unimproved value system should be substituted. Mr. Austin said ho had been instrumental in getting rating on unimproved values in another town and the anticipations of the advocates of the system were by no means realised. For oho thing the value of land had gone up and had not como down again. If building sections were scarce, rating on unimproved values would be beneficial in making vacant land available, but in Now Plymouth there were any amount of sections available at a reasonable iigurc. Against the argument that thrift and industry must not be penalised, tho speaker contended that tho man who can nay must pay. Mr. C. E. Bellringer spoke in favour of the proposed change. He admitted that thrift had to bo taxed, but contended that at present thrift'was taxed unfairly. Mr. C. Carter spoke concerning tho basis on which the suburban portions of the town were induced to come into the borough and pointed out that the law of supply and demand was the’only factor that could govern building on the land in the outlying areas. He felt that the carrying of tho proposed system would cause a breach of faith with the suburbs which merged within recent’ years and would inflict a hardship on them. r Mr. J. M'Leod contended that as a matter of expediency rating on unimproved values would bo unwise in Now Plymouth as there was not a sufficient demand for land to warrant the change. A numbel of questions were asked and answered. •« The chairman, who said he had come to the meeting with an open mind on the question, concluded a few remarks fry saying that he believed that perhaps it wasj; case whore it would bo wise to lot we* alone. A vote of thanks to the speakers was carried by acclamation.