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Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1922, Page 2

Tiik ipiestion of rating on unimproved value is often in the public mind, and from nil accounts it is a matter which will engage the attention of the ratepayers in Westland County at no distanet date. As to the application of the system here, this paper lias already expressed an adverse opinion under existing conditions, and the view scorns to be fortified by a recent discussion in Parliament, where when n Ratine Bill was under consideration in committee, Mr M’Callum opposed the application of rating on unimproved value by local bodies without, the ratepayers’ approval. Mr AVright supported the objection, stating that the result of rating on unimproved values in Wellington city had been to increase rents and create possibilities for making slums. It also tended to have a detrimental effect on the ritv's revenue. The Hon. J. A. Hunan said that members of local bodies should surely be entrusted' with authority to determine the system of rating. If not. they should not he elected. Mr M’beod said that rating on unimproved value in cases of small townships mean 1 practically confiscation by driving suburban land suited for nothing but farming into disuse. The clause should bo withdrawn. Sir John Luke said that rating on the unimproved value tended to shift the burden of taxation

from big business enterprises on to t’ - e

workers. He moved the delaf.u of Clause 2. The Minister of Internal Affairs indicated that in view of the opposition that was apparent and to avoid delay lie would he prepared to drop the clause. On a division Clause 2 was struck out by 41 to 7. 1 lie system to be adopted therefore remains a matter for the popular vote, and that should not be cast in the affirmative without weighing well the issues at stake from every point of view

In the thought for the times to-day, there are a couple of sentences penned by a Labor Liberal which are well worth conning over. If Labor saw aright at this juncture it could send to Parliament, at the forthcoming geheral election a party which would he capable of ledeeming the financial and industrial fortunes of the Dominion. The Liberal administration in the past showed itself to be the best government the country ever had. This is so ns regards the working man in particular. The Liberals created a Labor Minister who proceeded to prepare legislation which lifted the working man and woman to a much higher plane—socially, industrially and ] oliticall.v. Labor should have no quarrel with the Liberals who unasked and unaided, but often bitterly opposed by the so-call-ed Reformers carried through a progressive legislative policy which gave Labor its opportunity to win political rank and gain great, advantages in life and living which had been denied previously. Already an important section of Labor has allied itself with the Liberals. That is o healthy sign and suggests a trend ol thought lending up to great possibilities. If Labor as ft whole would display the same foresight. the result would he beyond all possibe doi lbt, and New Zealand would be governed under principles which have always stood the test of practice and given to the countryside a period of peace and prosperity which has lieen a minus quantity since. Reform had the sole charge of the reins of government:

In the matter of Government aid for funnels’ companies to which a reference was made again yesterday, and ill particular to the remark attributed to a Minister of the Crown in a footnote to a paragraph contributed by our Wellington correspondent, it appears that the statement by the Minister was in reference to the Companies Amendment Rill before Parliament last week, and not to direct financial suppoit by the Government. The Bill in question is intended to assist certain financially embnrrnsed companies to make arrangements and compromises with their creditors, and prevent a small minority of creditors forcing companies into liquidation. In regard to this matter it is generally stated that several companies, whose business was chiefly the handling of primary produce. «ere in difficulties. As a result of the slump and hard times experienced during the last 18 months or two years these companies, although they were solvent, were really in financial difficulties and finding it hard to carry on during the last few .weeks. The measure passed by Parliament in the emergency, is considered only of a temporary charaetei; and it is thought will not ha required for more than a year. The outlook is regarded so satisfactory that if goven the chance winch the legislation permits, the compnjiies in tempornrv difficulties will record l '