GOVERNMENT LAND

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 298, 12 September 1919, Page 10

GOVERNMENT LAND

POWER TO COLLECT BATES. The rating of lands occupied by tlio Crown formed a subject of discussion fit tho conference of tile Municipal Association yesterday, When tho I'otone Borough Council submitted tho following remit:— "That tlio Government be nrycd to forthwith pass legislation enabling local authorities to collect gc-neral, separate, and special rates upon all lands acquired b.v the Crown for workers' dwellings or ayy other purpose (while such lands remain unoccupied)." l't was stated that the Government had ncouireil land in some places for the purpose of erecting buildings, but had delayed tho construction of the premises. Tho land had 'been declared Crown land, however, and as a consequence no rates could be collected. Such a /state of affairs had arisen in Petone. Tho Hon. J. Barr, M.L.O. (Mayor of Sumner), considered that all Government land should bo brought under the provisions of . the Municipal Corporations Act. The Government should be compelled to erect buildings in compliance with the provisions of that Act. - In Ins opinion., the remit did not go far enough. The Government had erected a. building in Wellington that was "11 bit of an eyesore" at tho present time. / Mr. J. A. Flcsher (Christchurch City Council) moved that the words "while such lands remain unoccupied be deThe words were deleted, and in that form the remit was passed. Tho following remit from the Petone Borough Council.was also passed"That the Government be asked to extend hie provisions of section 112 of the Local Bodies. Loans Acts, 1913, to provide for lauds acquired by; tlio'Crown being liable for special rates in respect to loans raised to renew loans which were in force nt the time the lands were acquired by the Crowi."