THE RATING SYSTEM.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 658, 8 April 1914, Page 4

THE RATING SYSTEM.

The. movement initiated by tha County Ratepayers' Association in the direction of having the system of rating on unimproved values introduced in Waitomo County is a gratifying indication of activity in local public matters. Apart entirely from the meritß of the rating systems as to local conditions, the stirring of interest in public matters is a desirable thing in the interests of all concerned. The fact that the method of local taxation has been left in the hands of the ratepayers to decide is based on the assumption that those who are directly concerned will take sufficient interest to master the issues and take actirn accordingly. The rating question has been widely debated throughout the Dominion, and quite recently we had the experience of seeing the unimproved rating system carried at Te Kuiti. Conditions in town and rural districts may not be identical, but the eame general principles apply. However, it is intended to have the matter broadly discussed in the various districts before definite action i 3 tak6n, and care will be taken to have the different aspects of the matter placed before the ratepayers. An impression appears to'prevail that the adoption of the system will make an alteration in the system under which the special rates for loans already raised are struck. Such, however, is not the case. When a special loan is raised it is definitely stated in the application under which system it is desired to raise the loan, and the rating sys- ■ tem mentioned in the application applies to the loan until repayment has been made. It should, therefore, be borne in mind that in the event of rating on unimproved valueß being adopted by the county ratepayers no alteration will take place in connection with the special rates already in force. The annual general rate of the county and all future special rates, unless otherwise specified, will be levied according to the manner in which the ratepayers record their wishes at the poll taken for the purpose.