"Rating on Unimproved Values.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11421, 1 December 1904, Page 6

"Rating on Unimproved Values.

ro th» -Editor.

Sir, — There ap}>ear3to be much opposition to the borough loans, especially the one for street improvements, drainage, etc., as so many object to spending any liMin money on rem/vittmg old work ; but jiyVst of the •oppjosftidn comes, I think, from the fear of ratepayers lest they will )iav» to pay more rafes^in consequence, while others and not .theipsely-es will vvnp tlic benefit of the mtaiey cxpondod. (loii))t this will be the case to a oonsidi'rablo extent. If, however,, rating on unimproved values had bo^n carried, this fear would not exist, us the properties benefited by the expenditure of tho money ■would bo rais?d in Value accordingly, if the money was judiciously spent, and tlie increased value put on tlia .properties would yield iftord than sufficient to pay interest and sinking? r fuml without ''raising the amount of rates r; in" the pound". Thus thos? who were not benefited would pay nothing extra. This should be a lesson to be remembered two years hence, when ratepayers may have another chance of deciding on which principle they will be rated. — I am, etc., HENRY JAR. TURNER.