The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1874.

Dunstan Times, Volume 641, Issue 641, 31 July 1874, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1874.

Beneath the Rule of Men entirely just the pen is mightier than the sword.

Tire Local Government Bill, a Government Measure now before the Victorian Legislature, though a very bulky measure, containing 515 clauses, from what we can learn of it fiom an article in the Anstraursian, in many features is particularly npp lieable to Lew Zealand, or,at all events, to Otago, which bristles with Municipalities. Amongst the leading features of the Bill are rating, borrowing, endowment, and tolls. On the first of these points the article above referred to says : “ It has always been felt that at present uncultivated land does not bear its fair share of local rates. Some speculator buys land in amuuicipalitv, goes off, and leaves it in its natural state. Its selling value is increased by the improvements on the adjoining lands, but its rates are fixed at 5 per cent, upon its net annual value. Even these rates cannot be levied, because the owner has disappeared, end thus the owners who have improved tluir property are practically compelled by a heavier rate to make up the deficiency of their absentee colleague, or the revenue ot the municipality, and consequently its powers of performing necessary works, suffer accordingly. In order to enforce pay ment of these rates, the council will bo empowered to lease the vacant land for seven years, and after paying their demand to transfer the balance, if any, to the owner, o>’ to invest it for him until ho makes bis appearance. “ With respect to borrowing, the Ministry proposes to abolish the distinction between special rates and ordinary rates, and to allow municipalities to borrow upon the security of tlieir general revenue. The question of a loan must bo proposed to the ratepayers, and, upon a ballot, the negafive vole of one-third of the total

number on the roll will cause its rejection.

“ With respect to endowments, the Ministry proposes to abolish the distinction between endowment and subsidy, and to grant endowments in proportion to the rates, but in different degrees. Municipalities over 15 years of age will get 30s. for every pound of rates , those between 15 and ten years will get 40s. ; and those under 10 yoats will get COs. ;in every succeeding year to be a decrease of 10 per cent, thus in 10 years it will disappear altogether. “ With respect to tolls, the Government proposes, and with good reason, to leave their continuance or their discontinuance in the hands of the municipalities.” The question of local government is one that must occupy the attention of New Zealand legislators, and with the creation of new municipalities every few miles through the country, wherever there are two or three pub-lic-houses and a general store hud. died together, the greater the necessity for immediate action. During the present Session there is no hope of the subject being dealt with: but it will be well for some one of the Otago members to ask the Government to prepare a measure to deal with the subject during the coming recess. '