BOROUGH RATING

Waikato Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2587, 22 August 1922, Page 5

BOROUGH RATING

(To the Editor). Sir, —I have seen occasional references in print to a proposal to take steps to alter the system of rating in Cambridge, and from Thursday's Independent! learn that a petition is ' being signed for the purpose. In each ease it is stated that the desire is to revert to rating on the "capital" value. Cainbridge has never been rated on the capital value, but on the "annual" value, and I draw attention to the mat : ter in case a mistake is likely to be made. I have had no experience of the system of rating on capital value, but fail to see where it would lie any improvement on tho'present method, and I certainly consider the annual value system is far better suited to Cambridge than is the "unimproved." AH three systems are open to some objections, the chief of which in respect to the "annual?* is that it taxes improvements. That is so, but it aims in making the rates in proportion to what each property returns, or should return to its owner, which seems to me the onlv really equitable basis.—l am, etc., F. J. BROOKS. Auckland, August IS, 19122.