The Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1907. TO-DAY’S POLL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3777, 14 November 1907, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1907. TO-DAY’S POLL.

Thkrk appears to be very little interest centred in the poll being taken to-day up to 7 p.ra., on the question as to whether rating on the unimproved value of land shall be adopted in the borough. What life is being infused into the poll appears to emanate from the opponents ol the scheme—principally those who have large landed interests in the borough, and who will, naturally enough, be asked to contribute more in rates than they hitherto have done. We don’t blame them one jot for raising all the opposition possible and for endeavoring to make the quarter-acre man with his cottage bear more than his proportion of rates —if the small holder is fool enough to bear it. The man who will get the most relief if the poll is carried, is the individual whom one cannot shift with dynamite to record a vote. After all that has been said and written it is surprising to find a number of people still groping in the dark. The whole thing is as simple as falling off a log. Instead of being rated on the rental value of the land, as at present, rates will be levied on the value of the land. Can anything be fairer than that ? Of course it cannot. Every one is treated alike. One man will say : “I own ten acres of land in the borough valued at per acre ; I will have to pay rates on ,£1000!” Certainly ! The quarter-acre man, in proportion, will do likewise. If a man is wealthy enough to own so much laud in the borough, he is the man who can best afford to pay his full share of rates. However, we have done our best to enlighten the citizens on the subject. We have no desire to beat the air. The question is in their hands to decide. If the poll is carried it will remain in force for three years, and at the expiration of that time, if the ratepayers are not satisfied with it, they can return to the old system —but in no case where rating on the unimproved value has been given a trial have the people gone back on it. Have you recorded your vote ?