LOCAL BODY TAXATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 103, 3 May 1930, Page 10

LOCAL BODY TAXATION

URBAN FARM LANDS MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION IMPORTANT DECISIONS MADE [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, May 2. Important decisions concerning local body taxation and the rating of urban farm lands were arrived at at a meetin Wellington to-day of the executive of the Aiunicipal Association of New Zealand. Announcing tho results to the Alinister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. P. A. De La Perrelle), the Afayor of Ecilding (Air C. E. Taylor) stated that a special committee had been appointed to investigate the whole question of local body taxation and revenue in New Zealand. The personnel is as follows: Air Al. F. Luckie (DeputyAlayor of Wellington), Air G. A. Lewin (Town Clerk of Dunedin), Mr P. Skoglund (Town Clerk of Stratford), Air W. J. Rogers (Mayor of Wanganui), Air T. Jordan (Al ay or of Alasterton). Air J. O’Shea (city solicitor, (Wellington) and Mr C. E. Taylor (Alayor of Ecilding).

“The questions concerned in the inquiry are due for review,” said Air Taylor. ‘‘ We desire to find a system of taxation that will be fair for the wholes Dominion and for all classes of ratepayers. The committee the executive has to-day set up to go into the whole matter will meet from time to time in Wellington to see if it can bring forward to the Association’s next conference, proposals designed to place local body taxation on a better basis.’’

“It seems to be a very very good move,” commented the Alinister. Farm Lands in Borough. Air Taylor informed the Alinister that the executive would forward to him within a fortnight a special report setting out what legislative action they considered necessary on the question of the rating of urban farm lands. The Association asked that the report be given legislative effect to. At the executive meeting yesterday it had been decided to urge that councils be allowed to give relief up to 40 per cent instead of 30 per cent as proposed originally, and that the area affected be reduced below the three acres proposed, if the local body decided by resolution to give relief in such cases. “The Association is desirous of giving relief,” added Air Taylor, “but we do not desire a full classification of our boroughs to give relief to a number of ratepayers.” He mentioned that another new suggestion of the executive was 1 t decisions of councils could be reviewed by a tribunal consisting of either a magistrate alone, or a magistrate and two assessors, whose decision would be final. The Alinister: AV as that a unanimous decision of your conference? Air Taylor: Yes, and ?t second resolution was carried condemning tlie Bill promoted last year. The Alinister said he was glad Mr Taylor had dealt with the question. Some form of rating relief was absolutely essential. The representations of the conference would receive his fullest consideration.