LOCAL RATING.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14977, 26 May 1914, Page 3

LOCAL RATING.

QUESTION OF UNIMPROVED VALUES. [DEPUTATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL. A deputation from tho Christchnrch. Rating Association waited on tho City Council last night regarding the system of local rating. Mr A. Wilson said tho deputation wished the Council to appoint a Commission to enquire into the uystem or" rating, as it existed now, and also as the single-taxers wished it to operate. In 1901 the city adopted tho rating on unimproved system for tho general rate, and now it was proposed to extend that system to the "personal service and £ho Hospital rates." TBat would mean tho centre of .-the ci£y would bo loaded to the extent of £4200. Already it had been loaded to the extent of £9000 when the unimproved system was adopted. The effect of that system was to cause over-building, and there were now many empty shops in tho city, while others were let for a nominal rental. Mr C. R. Clark said tho Commission could find out whether tho unimproved system had proved a success. That system had pressed heavily on business concerns, such a« timber yards. Mr G. M. Butterworth then handed in the following resolution on the mattor adopted Ify the Rating Associa-

tion : — '•When Parliament, in 1896, permitted the experiment of levying tho 'general rates' on land values, it oxided the 'personal eemee rates' and tho 'hospital and charitable aid rate,' drawing a fundamental distinction between the 'general rates' —which affect land on the one hand, and the 'personal service rates,' which render services to 'buildings,' and the •'hospital and charitable aid rate.' which concerns wealth generally on the other. Now that a portiou of tho ratepayers wish, to obliterate this distinction, tho Christchurch Ratepayers' Association respectfully ask the City Council to hold an enquiry into tho working of the Act in Christchurch from its adoption to the present date." In reply to Cr. Millar. Mr "Wilson said the empty shops followed overbuilding caused by the. rating on unimproved values.

Tho Mayor said the matter was odd for tho ratepayers to decide. He hardly thought it was one for the Council to deal with.

Cr. 6aid tho meeting could do nothing that night. Personally he was opposed to tho unimproved system. He moved that the matter should be referred to tho Finance Committee to consider and report.

Cr. Williams said the matter was one for the Government to tako up. Cr. McCombs said th« matter had been settled so far by the people themselves, and a ten per cent, section could canee a referendum to be taken to have the system changed. Cr. Hayward hoped that tho Finance Committee could see its wav to recommend that a Commission 6hould be eet up.

Cγ. McCombs ssid the Finance Committee should be the Commission. Cγ. Sorensen'e n»tion was carried.