RATING ON UMIMPROVED VALUE.

Gisborne Times, 18 May 1906, Page 3

RATING ON UMIMPROVED VALUE.

’(To the Editor Gisborne Times 4 Silt —This subject does not appear tp reoeive the oonsidtntion from the oounty ratepayers which it merits. We have been so fully occupied in IBteriiog to what the candidates at the late election contest offered to do for us if we only would, that the idea of locking to see what we oculd do for omselves seems to have esoaped the majority. It is usual when something is sudienly found to tread on oar toes to blame the Government, but in this oase ha Government is free, as an Act was passed in 1885, by whioh ltd rates can be raised on the unimproved instead of the capital value. The rating on unim. proved value oommends itself to our uotioe, it being absolutily fair to all. It

encourages improvements on the lend in every way, good buildings, fences, cultivation, and planting. The ratirg on the capital value is a direct tax on the energy aod industry of the occupiers of land, who know that for every building put up in

>ort order to woik the plnoo to the host a time vantage, and oven ovory treo plnntod, iso, whether eholter or fruit, ilioir ostimalol ain value is added to the total on wbioh looal rates aro paid. The differruoo botwoon the two systems will be oaa.ly seen by thoso two examploe, Toko two stetions ndjuining, of tqual valuo per sore, and say, 50 nl ' aoroa in extrnt. No. lis ocoup : od by a , to I man who only usoa it for grazing purlss poses ; his improvements will consist u '- of fencing in nod laying down in ' r_ grass, tbn oooupior residing olsowhoro / ‘ No 2: Tbn occupier is wholly dairy ' ■ farmer, on dairy end ou ! tivation. This ls man will want a dwoiling house, milking n ’ shed and yard, cross fancos, barn, pig 11 stye, ote. Tbo value of all those ereotious '• nro and added to tbo valuo of *• the laud for rating puiposee. The two , *' syst( ms will pan out something liko this : s No. 1: Rating ru oapital value 50 anoi of 1 land fonced snd in grass, at XBQ por norr, 1 XISOO ; Couuiy ratr, fd in X, ill IBs 9cl. q ’ N•• 2: 50 aores of land feuoid and in ■ I g a s. at TOO por ac.o, XI600; house, outI builci igs.fences,eto.,X4o0—Xl9oo;oounfcy rate, (J in £ £5 IBs 71. Tho man who has to put tit out money in bin le.-n! I his lo pay XI 5s 2d more County rate the ceoopior rf No. >. q ui'-r.j ;•< 1 ■ m same. Tho R-. ~. , ; ti<- • en tbo •' ; on '.;••• ■ j v-t-:.-i V. . ... • . . ;;f lli'CS. ; Vv i! .',:. ~.r:irtutl itself to a m-- r . <•., .’ Let otoh Road - " i. ug distriots bold meetings . 1 • .ciiiiin tho opinion cf tho ratepayers, and at ones take notion and put the matter through. Let us show to the kJ onlookers that we are nut npnthotio through tho present prosperity, but will when the opportunity offers set to work Wb and right a wrong that is oramping tbo h Q onergiis of tho pooplo.—Yours, oic., , T. W. 13ILHAM. * ree