CORRESPONDENCE. RATING ON STANDING TIMBER

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1927, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

RATING ON STANDING TIMBER

(To the Editor.)

Sir—" Without wishing to open up any discussion as to the equity, or otherwise, of rating on standing timber, may I bo permitted to point out that you are in error, in your sub-leader of tho 13th inst., in stating that:—“Last year a clause was inserted in a Bill before the House exempting load rating in respect to limlier areas,” and that—“ Tho amendment was averted by continuing the former rating system for a year.to give ime to consider the general position.” Wliat happened wins that in AfarcliApril of,last year the Court of Appeal ruled that local bodies had no right under the Valuation of Land Amendment Act, 1912. to levy rates on standing timber. Tho fact that they had for 14 years been collecting rates to which they were not entitled, should not. and did not, constitute any right to a continuation of sucli appropriation on their part. Rather should it, in fairness, have constituted a reason

for reenibuTsement to those woh had meantime suffered such impost. Now the Bill before the House last year was to give power to loeifl bodies to continue doing what they had illegally been doing during the period since 1912. When it became evident to the Minister in charge of tbe Bill (TTon. Air McLeod) that there was a prospect of the Bill being defeated; lie suggested a, compromise to tbe effect that the Bill should he amended to make it applicable for one year—“So as to enable focal bodies to adjust their finances at the end of the year.” With a clause inserted in the Bill to tho above, effect, the opposition to tho Bill avas withdrawn. The action taken in the House was in the direction of giving power to rate standing timber. There was no measure introduced at that time to exempt standing timber from rating—for tlio simple

reason that, it had not been rateable. Thanking yon in anticipation, | I am, etc., , W. J. BUTLER. ! Rnatapu. loth January.