ROADING THE DISTRICT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 478, 29 June 1912, Page 6

ROADING THE DISTRICT.

EVOLVING A SCHEME. THE SMALL HOLDER. NO. 111. , A certain feeling has been in the atmosphere sinco thß loan scheme was mooted that the proposals were all in favour of the big holder, who would derive a more than proportionate benefit from the special loan. In addition, it was stated that persons living in another county would also receive ar. inordinate benefit, and would not be included in the special rating area. Such fantastic notions are only worthy of infantile intellects when it comes to be remembered that the small holders are vastly in excess of the big holders in voting power, and the very essence of the loan lies in its absolute equity. The fact that a very large majority has to be satisfied, and vote in favour of the loan before it can ba carried, is sufficient safeguard for the small holder. However, he is still further protected, and every facility is afforded for carrying his objection to headquarters, and having it carefully enquired into at practically no cost to himself. It seems ridiculous to feel called upon to explain that the scheme must ba fair, but in order to answer all objections it is necessary to go into detail. Moreover the carrying out of the scheme is of such vital importance to each individual small holder that it is worth while. The small holder; the man who has tu dairy, has infinitely more at atako than ton larger holder, who relies upon sheep and cattle raising. It is the owner of the small ssction who should be moving in the matter, and striving by every means in his p-jWer to accomplish the metalling scheme. The future of the dairy farmer is so dependent upon the roads to the railway,and to his factory,being Uept open at all seasons that he cannot afford to forego the opportunity of taking part in what will undoubtedly be tha cheapest and most beneficial scheme possible to him, providing the scheme i? carried out on the proper lines. In order that the proper basis should he etablished it would be wise for the small holder, and every other person interested, to seek definite and complete information upon which tc formulate a suitable scheme.

The question of rating and the system under which a loan should be raised is uf considerable importance. At the meeting at which the metalling scheme was first suggested Mr O'Dwyer rightly raised the question. There can be no doubt that the right and proper system to adopt, in thu raising of special loans, is the rating en unimproved values. It is fair insofar as it protects the man who improves, and offers every inducement to the progressive farmer. The argu ments in favour of this method of rating are too, well known to require repetition. In addition to the usual points advanced, there exist in this district conditions which render the unimproved method of rating imperative,in the shape of large areas of unimproved native and Crown land. The settlers will he well advised in making it a feature of the scheme that the special rate shall be struck en the unimproved value of the lands. Provision is made for this being done without going through the process of having the whole county rated in a similar manner. The boundaries of the special rating area are clearly defined, and the rate levied to meet interest and sinking fund on the loan is entirely separate from any other rate. All that is necessary, therefore, is a valuation of the special rating area under the unimproved value system. The adoption of this method will remove any possible objection the small holder may have as regards the proportion of rate to be paid in comparison with the size of the holding.

A further point which has been advanced on behalf of small settlers who have recently taken up their holdings is that the recently opened lands are valued much move highly than those lands which have been opened for some years. This objection will be completely answered by the adoption of the unimproved rating system, as the rate will be levied en the present unimproved value of the land. The recently taken up land certainly carries a heavier rental, but an important offset to this is the fact that the thirds accruing on these sections will more than meet any special rate for a period of fifteen years from the time the sections were taken up The question of thirds is'a highly import ant feature of the proposal, aa there is every probability that th« thirds on all the Crown sections within tne proposed area will more than meet the rate which it will be necessary to strike. In the event of the thirds not being devotf ri to a metalling scheme they will be frittered away in temporary work, and no permanent benefit will be obtainable therefrom. Haid experience should have taught our settlers by now that the only reasonable way to utilise thirds is to set them aßide for the purpose of meeting interest and sinking fund on a metalling loan Concerning valuation it is obvious that as the district progresses, and facilities such aa good roads are provided, any minor differences in valuation must right them selves. As settlement increases, and the larger areas become subdivided the burden of the loan is more widely spread. Without doubt the settlers whose thirds can. meet the interest on any loan for five or six years from the starting of the liability will be in mi excellent position. By the time they will require to nay any money out of pocket the rate, will imve In rams so small to the individual that it wii! riot be felt. The mm who is in the worst position id the holder of any considerable area of native laud. Ho has ::o thirds neeimimr.nndms faultier increase,the value of his land id up,and his proportion of rate increases accordingly. His only method of relief lies in Fub-diviclin;; his property, and making others share the burden along with them. If he chooses to hold his large arsa and pay for it he