LABOUR AS CHAMPION OF RATEPAYERS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 191, 11 May 1944, Page 3

LABOUR AS CHAMPION OF RATEPAYERS

Or. Appleton Amused SUBURBAN PROPERTY VALUES “Afy opponent is trying to make civic history in Wellington by posing as the champion of suburban ratepayers, said Cr. Will Appleton, Citizens’ mayoral candidate, at Rosen oath and Lyall Bay last night. Those who had listened to previbus dciiuiicintions of Citizens councils as alleged representatives ot ratepayers only, in ,contrast to the general body of citizens, would find this new situation amusing. At least it. indicated that Mr. Roberts's opening line of abuse, criticism and trading on wartime difficulties, was running short and he was forced to look for another. Cr. Appleton said that ho told the valuers’ meeting that with present legislation preventing many city property owners from getting a fair return from their properties, there would come a tinie — and he put it nt perhaps not. for lo or 20 years—when these owners would apply for revaluation more in keeping with the returns. Such a likely reduced valuation would mean that less rates eould be collected from these properties. Ihe rates would have to come from somewhere, and the logical conclusion was a higher rate which would affect suburban ratepayers. But it was not within the council’s power to effect these revaluations—that was the function of the Government Valuation Department, which could also, and it would be more to the point, readjust the value of State houses to correct the present anomaly whereby private home owners were paving more rates than the State paid on houses iu the same locality—even alongside. 1 hat would be a real help to ratepayers; vJ ould Mr. Roberts advocate it? Mr. Roberts and his whole ticket had a long way to travel along the civic road before the citizens of Wellington—or of any other place—woultl accept them as protectors of ratepayers. In fact, they seqmed to have an obsession respecting ratepayers, thinking the term synonymous with capitalist. That explained why the worker who owned his own home, or wanted to, preferred a ticket, not of plungers with civic funds, but one which built up these to be spent to the best advantage iu the interest? of those who contributed them—the ratepayers and customers of the trading departments of the couucil.

“You will see the results of this uiuchabused prudence when reconstruction and rehabilitation begin,” said Cr. W. 11. Stevens. “You will find a city with the money to do theijc now delayed jobs; to make progress an accomplished, fact. Many of you have faced domestically the sanie problems as the council ha.) in the civic sphere. You have not beeii able to buy all you wanted or do what you planned. But you put your money into war savings to meet the day when you can.” This was what the council did. What other motive could it have other than to have money to spend when there were the men and materials. The council had not reduced the rate to benefit “big business”; nor could the councillors take the reserves and depreciation funds for themselves. What then was the position? Just th,qj. money had been set aside to spend on the things that would improve the city, the conditions of its people and, best of all, provide useful work for thousands who might soon need it. » 4 »

In his eight years'as chairman of th? works committee there had been no disputes with the staff, said Cr. Appleton at Roseneath last, night. Could Mr. Roberts claim the same record in his time as chairman of the Waterfront Control Commission? The public knew the answer.

As a remit of a meeting of the council’s housing committee that day it was hoped that the interest under the council’s scheme of 90 per cent, up to £1,500 would be 4 1-S per cent., instead of 5 per cent, as nt present, said Cr. Appleton at Lyall Bay last night. There would be 12 different designs in the 25 houses the council would build at Byall Bay to enable people to see finished jobs and learn the costs.

TONIGHT’S MEETINGS

Citizens’ candidates will hold three meetings tonight nt 8 o’clock, at Aro Street Methodist Hall, Thorndon Slethodist Hall and Wadestown Church of England Hail. Labour candidates will speak tonight at the Parish Hall, Karorl, starting at 8 o’clock. 1 ■ Communist candidates will speak at the corner of Epnnl and Aro Streets, and also at the Capitol Theatre, Miramar (open air) at 7.30 tonight, and at the Webb Street Methodist Church Hall at 8 p.m.