Government Will Look Into Rating on Unimproved Value

Wanganui Chronicle, 25 July 1947, Page 6

Government Will Look Into Rating on Unimproved Value

(P.A.) Parliament Bldgs., July 21. The question of making rating on unimproved value mandatory was one which the Government would have to consider, said the Minister of Finance (Mr. Nash), when replying to a deputation which waited upon him and the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry) to-day.-Mr. Nash suggested to the deputation that it might be the wisest way to fight on with securing polls despite the recognised difficulty of obtaining the 15 per cent signatures. If there was to be unimproved value It must be a true one.

Doctor Rolland O'Regan presented the case for the New Zealand League for the Taxation of Land-Values. He said such a fair system as unimproved value rating, if made universal, would assist to stabilise land values, help in the amalgamation of local bodies, simplify valuations and the whole of local body law, and would save the State Advances Department —which was in effect the people—from injustices ana the expense of other forms rating, as thes e affected State houses. Mr. Nash said there was something to be said for State tenants having a vote on rating matters, as rates were taken into account, and wer e inside their rents. Under unimproved value there was difficulty where a large building received greater amenities than a smaller one alongside.