SUBURBAN RATING

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 190, 10 May 1944, Page 8

SUBURBAN RATING

Mr. Appleton In Favour Of Increase?

itfß. ROBERTS’ CONTENTION “Our opponents are trying to convince the people that Labour would increase the rates if elected, but it is a tact that the only occasion rates were reduced was in 1927, when Labour played a bi<s part ip having the rating system altered from the capital to the unimproved value,” said Mr. James Roberts, Labour candidate for the Wellington mayoralty, in addresses to large audiences at. Island Bay and Webb Street last night. He quoted a recent address by Mr. Appleton, his opponent, to the New Zealand Institute of Valuers, iin which Mr. Appleton expressed regret at the change and voiced the opinion that rates on suburban properties would have to increase. The Tory council of 1927 had opposed the change in the rating system, but the citizens carried it, and suburban rafts had been reduced by 25 to 75 per cent., and the rates on city buildings had gone up. To rectify the position in the interests of big business, the 1929 council had made a revaluation of properties, and suburban rates had increased. In 1934 there was a further valuation, and again the rates had gone up. The stand taken by Mr. Appleton, who claimed no party affiliation, in regard to rating was clearly revealed in that address. said Mr. Roberts, who quoted the following extract: — I am very doubtful if the unimproved value rating system which we have in Wellington is really the best system, and I am doubtful if it is likely to be changed, for about SO per cent, of the municipal voters benefit through it. The property owners of the suburbs have a great advantage over property owners in the city areas. An owner in Island Bay, Khandallah. or Brooklyn may be rated now. at, say. £lO a year, but under improved or capital value his rates might rise to £l4, £l5, or even higher, and,such owners are therefore- unlikdy to vote for any change of system. Nevertheless, the present system is likely to right itself in 20 to 25 years. The increase in rates on city properties, with the impossibility of obtaining higher rentals, is likely to force revaluation of city properties downward. Some owners will unfortunately suffer hardship and loss, but the necessity for bringing in money to maintain and improve the city as it should be improved will mean that a greater proportion of the rates will have to come from the suburban pro- : perties, and their annual rates will rise as the'annual rates on the city properties fall. Mr. Appleton believed in rating on the capital value, said Mr. Roberts. He also claimed that 80 per cent, of the people supported rating on the unimproved Value. That meant he represented 20 per cent, of the people, said Mr. Roberts. # - ♦ *

A complete overhaul of time-tables, a regrouping of the different types of trams and a review of stopping-places would do a great deal toward alleviating the difficulties in Wellington’s tramway system, said Mr. P. A. Hansen, at. Webb Street. The Tramways Union had repeatedly .offered its co-operation, but without avail. Improvements could -be effected and wou.d be by a Labour council. * Ah example of the devil quoting Scripture was how Mr. J. G. Churchill referred at Webb Street to the advertisement that Mr. Peter Fraser had supported the Tory , policy of goodwill and cooperation in a speech in London. What co-operation liad past Tory councils' offered the Government in an effort to overcome unemvloyment and housing.

Because a man had been able to buy goods cheaply and sell at a profit, or because he had been able, through investments, to obtain money from the work of other people, he was considered by Labour’s opponents to have, the ability to administer and provide civic services and amenities, said Mr. G.. J. Hay at Webb Street. Real economy- was not amassing wealth but was spending money to the best advantage. “There are many’ people outside the so-called business community 7 with experience in this direction,” said Mr. Hay, “and their honesty and ability in administering civic affairs should not be judged by their ability, to make profits.” *

Labour had never had a majority on any hospital board, but largely as, a result of the energy of its members fees and costs had been reduced, said Mr. A W. Croskery., The 100-bed hospital at Hutt proposed’ by Labour would have been erected now had Citizens’ members of past boards supported and not hindered the Labour members. It had been rejected in favour of the present 250bed hospital, which was still not yet completed.

Throughout its term bf office the past city council had shown unbridled partisanship, said Mr. T. Brindle, at Island Bay. Co-operation-,with the Government had beep lukewarm. It had ignored the votes east for candidates and when vacancies had occurred had stacked local bodies with their own kind, some of whom had never gone to the poll. Was that in accordance with democratic principles, about which the Citizens’ candidates prated so much? » » »

Mr. G. Matthew, at Island Bay, spoke of the serious anomalies that had occurred in town planning, instancing several examples of shocking financial losses incurred through lack of foresight. An important issue was the urgent need for full-time clinical service so that anyone could have a doctor’s services at any time—day or night.

HOUSING PROBLEM

Communist Candidates’ Views

“A council housing scheme which requires that a man should hate £l5O to put down on the table before he ean take advantage of it is not a scheme at al), but a plot,” said Dr. H. Silverstone, Communist candidate for the city council, speaking at Karori. “It means that the validity of a man’s claim for. decent housing is to be measured, not by the needs of himself and his family,, but by the amount of ready cash he has in his pocket. It means, moreover, that the role of the council so far as housing is concerned, is reduced to that of the moneylender.” Dr. Silverstone said that unless the present trends were arrested we were faced with the terrible prospect of onethird of the people of Wellington being without proper accommodation in 10 years’ time. Sixteen thousand houses would be required by the end of that period. “Though plans are under way for an extension of hospital accommodation, parallel action should be taken now to give further relief to overcrowding and to prevent future congestion in the new accommodation being provided,” said Mrs. Constance Birchfield, Communist candidate for the hospital board, speaking at Northland. "A simple and effective method would be the provision of convalescent homes for patients recovering from illness, but not well enough to return home. Similar provisions could be made for servicemen.”

86,345 NAMES ON ROLL

The count for the supplementary roll of district electors for the elections on May 27 has been completed. There are 58,384 names on the main roll, issued a couple of months ago. to which must now be added 27,(Mil names admitted to the supplementary list, making a total roll of 86,345. 1

Among the application forms received were from persons already on the roll (some of them merely intimating a change of address). In addition, 133 forms were received without any signature of applicant or witness, and 50 forms came from persons resident outside the electoral district of Wellington city.