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Star (Christchurch), Issue 10300, 3 November 1911, Page 1

It is the intention of Mr K. G. Ell, M.P., U> begin a campaign,, as soon as the elections are over, to organise a poll on tho proposal that thero should be only one system of rating in this city. At present some of the rates arc levied on tho unimproved value and some on the capital value. The latter are the water rate, the sewer rate, and tlio hospital and charitable aid rfcte. Under an amendment of the Hating Act passed last session, a poll will be taken on tlie proposal to make the system uniform, on a requisition signed by fifteen per cent of those affected. The result will be decided by a hare majority of those who vote. A great deal of labour will be involved in obtaining the required number of signatures, but Mr Ell says that if the change is made tho improvement. will bo well worth the trouble. A good deal of rating will bo levied on the basis'of, tho unimproved value instead of the capital value. Taking a typical case ar representative of hundreds in the eitv, lie points out that a cottageowiier whose house and land are worth £<'>oo, instead of having to pay several rates levied on that value, will pay them on a valuation of only £'loo, tho unimproved value of the land. Later on, Mr Ell probably will visit Auckland to orj'anisft a.poJl there, with tho .s.me tthient,.