MUNICIPAL COMPARISONS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 84, 6 October 1931, Page 6

MUNICIPAL COMPARISONS

(To the Editor.) Sir, —We have stated the caso of the Tramways and Electricity Departments from our point of view, and have produced facts, figures, and results/. Before criticisms of a carping or narrow nature are made it would be as well to study the Local Authorities' Handbook for 1931, wherein correspondents will find all the figures they may require, and can make their own careful deductions. May we refer to "Senectutor's" letter on rate comparisons, in which this correspondent makes the statement about "hasty generalisations" and "unjustifiable" conclusions. The revenue from rates in Wellington has increased from £407,034 in 1927 to £501,930 in 1930—a difference of £94,890. Over the same period the rates increased in Auckland by £122,000,'Christchurch by £34,000, and Dunedin by £32,000. The revenue from rates. in the four centres increased in 1930 over 1929 art follows: Wellington, £66,189; Auckland. £33,492; Christch,urch, £17,474; and Duncdin. £3186. The approximate average receipts per rateable .property shows: Wellington £20, Auckland £17, Dunedin £12, Christchurch £11. The number of municipal employees during 1930' was: Wellington 2936, Dunedin 1342, Auckland 1178, Christchurch 783. The total municipal wages paid was: Wellington £811,076, Dunedin £399,629, Auckland £265,251, Christchurch £210,058. The percentage of administrative wages to revenue was: Wellington 8.32, Auckland 6.27, Dunedin 6.25, Christchurch 5.78. —We are, etc., THE EXECUTIVE OF THE WELLINGTON RETAIL TRADERS' ASSOCIATION. '