From the Mailbag

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20182, 26 June 1928, Page 6

From the Mailbag

THE RATING QUESTION Sir, —Mr Gardner’s reply on the rat; ing question opens up some important questions, but however attractive from an academic point of view, a discussiou on the source of unimproved value might be, or on the source of social wealth, 1 have neither th.c. time nor the inclination to embark upon it. I should like, however, to point out that on this matter of rating, Mr Gardner’s views are radically unsound. Briefly stated, Lis position seems to be that municipal rates ought to be assessed against the individual ratepayer in proportion to the services rendered to him by the municipality, and that rating on the unimproved value so assesses them. My reply is that the services rendered to the individual ratepayer simply cannot be assessed by rating on the unimproved, or on any other value, because they cannot be ascertained.

Municipal services are streets, sanitation, water supply, public parks, etc., etc. How can it be estimated what benefit any particular ratepayer derives from these services? They are, however, necessary, or otherwise desirable, services, and they cost money; which money the citizens . mst find. The law of the land gives the citizens choice of two methods of finding this money, viz., by rating on the annual value, or alternatively, by rating on the unimproved value. Under either system, thousands of citizens enjoy the advantages provided by the community without making any direct payments, but that is by the way. In both systems, property is the victim, so to speak, firstly because property can be readily got at, but secondly and mainly, because the measure of a man’s property holding is roughly the measure of his abiliy to pay, which fundamentally is the just basis of all taxation. Applied to the rating system, this is charity, according to Mr Gardner. As I pointed out in my former letter, payment by those who have the ability to pay is the method by which our religious, and many other institutions of primary importance to the community, are supported. J might further point out that our national expenditure is to a large extent met out of income tax, the pure embodiment of this principle, and generally recognised as the fairest of all taxes. It is not charity, but a more or less conscious recognition that all wealth is of social creation and ought to be available for social purposes. I proffer to Mr Gardner this definition of charity, that it is a recognition of social claims through sympathy, before the justice of them has been universally realised, and the burden of this satisfaction placed on the shoulders of the community. The rating question in Wanganui to-day is simply which of two available systems is best for the town. We have had a doleful experience of the vicious system now in operation. It has been bad for business, and has caused unemployment. It has let off some, wealthy firms to the tune of hundreds of pounds, and has penalised the people who beautify the town with their gardens. If continued, it will create slums, and merely utilitarian residential sites will become universal. I sincerely trust the ratepayers will vote out rating on unimproved value and I am sure they will do so, if they take an enlightened view of their own interests. “W.” Wanganui, June 25.

Sir, —Mr Gardner may not agree with the view's of Mr At more, but I think he will agree that one particular piece of land differs from another in value only according to its fertility. There are other values, but these are due to environment.

The trouble in this rating matter is when a man builds a house and a few of his neighbours do likewise, what is the first thing they do? They pester the council to interest itself in making a street, and introduce gas, water, drainage, etc. This has been admitted by experience. Now, sir, I put it to your readers, should these people not pay for the extra services they enjoy, in the usual manner, viz., rates? These conveniences are admittedly necessary —the houses could not do withodt. them. This opens up a bigger question. How can you measure the social benefits a resident receives through the council by counting the feet of land he owns? The whole idea is ridiculous. The only right the council has to collect rates is for services given the community. The 1 eople who use these should pay in proportion to such use. 1 will venture to say that no one will contradict me when I state that a resident in the Avenue is no better provided with drainage, lighting, water-service, and streeting than a resident in any properly attended suburb. He gets no additional services. Therefore he should morally pay no more rates than the suburban man.

There must be some way of cataloging the residents, and the system of enumerating those who own landed sections is as good as any other for record purposes. The land should end there, however. Land has nothing to do with rates. Services received are the only factors that should determine the matter. The new motor tax has been worked out on this basis—the man who uses the road pays the tax. The amusement tax has been thought out in a similar manner.

According to NTr Rogers the man with the blank section should pay as much for services as the man with a big house who is enjoying all the council can give him, whereas the only thing the former uses is perhaps a street leading past his ground. Can you picture the amusement tax being worked in a similar manner, viz., the people who do not go to the theatre being made to pay a tax? The time will ultimately come, when all rates will be levied according to the services enjoyed by the people individually. No one would object to this system, because they would/ be getting something for the money, which after all is but a business transaction. “APEX.” * Wanganui, June 25.

THE STATE SCHOOLS Sir, —I quite agree with “New Zealand” in what he says about the State schools. Both primary and secondary State schools are by far the best as regards scholarships. At the secondary schools they receive Scripture lessons and the Bible is also used for English. But why should this bo denied to the children who cannot go further than

the primary schools? It is the dutv of the community to see these children get every possible chance. 1 would also beg readers to remember that it is futile to talk of better class, etc., as society i s a whirlpool. I have known the son of a baronet keeping a stable, an Oxford man driving a bullock team, the heir to an earldom a schoolmaster, and a banker carrying his swag, an>. all in New Zealand. As regards the standard of education, the private colleges are far behind the State colleges, more especially the Girls’ Colleges and private schools. In time, perhaps, this will be regulated by the State. Improvements might be made in State colleges too. Fancy pupils in V.A. not having any geography since leaving primary school! The pupils of the private schools are at a disadvantage as regards various scholarships and free places aud higher leaving certificates. But there is one thing that helps the private schools and that is most of . their teachers come from the State colleges. I have had children at both private and State colleges and 1 am convinced the State gives the best scholarship. Our laws-are based on the Ten Commandments, so why deny the children the Commandments? I saw a complaint about the people being without a knowledge of the laws. It does seem feasible that in time we may have a perfect system of education, as New Zealand is young. By the way, Mr Massey was a Bible A student, and few knew their Bible betI knew Mr Seddon personally and though he might not have been called a devout man he believed in the Scrip-, tures and sent his children where they received instruction. Few Bible students are to be found among the Anglican clergy to-day also little scholarship. Some of the clergy admit this. Hence, all this upheaval about the Prayer Book while thousands and starving. An altered book means departure from Scripture; hence the petition to Parliament “to order or permit the use in public worship of a version other than the authorised version of the Bible or of any part or parts thereof.” Surely the studv of the Bible is the birthright of the children of a nation professing Christianity. The teachings of Christ are “peace on earth, goodwill to all men-” Man-evolved creeds must ever bring dissent- Therefore “Suffer the children . . .” “CLING TO THE BIBLE.” Waverley, June 25.