THE RATING QUESTION

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 72, 26 March 1934, Page 8

THE RATING QUESTION

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Absence from Wellington has precluded my seeing earlier your editorial comments in "The Post" of the 16th inst., from which I gather-that you see nothing to censure in the conspiracy in progress to undermine rating on the unimproved value. Personally it seems to me extraordinary that no protest was made by any Labour representative at the Municipal Conference against the uncalled-for attempt to discredit the only rational and equitable system of. taxation, and scarcely less regrettable .is the fact that the Mayor of this city should have identified himself with the reactionaries. As for the remark which you say was made privately by the 1 father of the present Mayor of Welling-1 ton, that rating on the unimproved value was "a tax on gardens," may I remind you that when the Hon. T. W. Hislop contested the representation of1 Welling-! ton. Central in 1908 he declared in favour of rating on the unimproved value? May I point out further that, rightly or wrongly, . the Government has seen fit to subsidise building. In the face of that fact, it seems not a little extraordinary that anyone should countenance the taxation of building! However, "our friend the enemy" may rest assured that we, Henry George men, will not be quiescent if and whenever .any. attempt is made to discredit -the appropriation for public puruoses of the community value of land.— I am, etc.." ,'.-; ■ -•.,,-"". P. J. O'REGAN. March 23. ;