Financial Problems In Growth Of City

Press, Volume C, Issue 29508, 9 May 1961, Page 17

Financial Problems In Growth Of City

The question had often been asked why Christchurch did not go ahead with as many major schemes as Auckland. Christchurch had far greater problems with its expanding urban area, and the development of new areas meant less money available for use in parts closer to the heart, said the president of the Christchurch Citizens’ and Ratepayers’ Association (Mr W. P. Glue) at the association's annual meeting last evening.

Mr Glue said the population in Christchurch city had increased by 6689, or 42 a week, between 1956 and 1959. In Auckland the increase was 4560, Wellington 930. and Dunedin 923. In 1940 the Christchurch City Council administered 10.404 acres: and at present it had 25,698 acres. "In comparison. Auckland’s acreage increased by only 240!”

Mr Glue said that if the council had not been saddled with the problems of improving the vast areas of land being brought under development, things would be different "I am not decrying it coming into the city—eventually the land will improve in value and well recoup our outlay in rates.” The council was doing its best with the moneys available. said Mr Glue. He suggested that some change might be considered in assessing rating. Wellington and Christchurch rated on unimproved value, while Auck-

land and Dunedin rated on annual value.

The chairman of the association’s general committee (Mr H. P. Smith) said he was pleased Mr Glue had pointed out the increase in the acreage in Christchurch. “It is the answer why we have a backlog of elementary activities such as footpaths, roads, and other services. We have spread out so muchlike a farmer bringing in new areas—that until most of the work is completed, we will have problems of finance.” The change to rental or annual rating must come, said Mr Smith, and everyone who had studied it fully was convinced it was the fairest way to spread rates. "But I would be reluctant to have a change in the rating system at the moment.”

Mr Smith said an obvious solution was for the citizen to pay something. “The Minister has said he is not interested in some kind of levy on citizens. But young people today are earning good pay and enjoying good facilities, and unless they are paying their parents some contribution to the rates when they are living at home, they are no assistance.