MUNICIPAL RATING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 75, 19 March 1914, Page 4

MUNICIPAL RATING.

We are becoming so used to the

system of rating on unimproved values, both in New Zealand and Australia, that, as an Australian writer points out, it comes as something of a shock to bo reminded that the system is not yet in existence in England. However, a change to the system of local rating on site values is now being publicly, urged by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who last year spoke emphatically upon the effect ol tlic existing rating system in penalising public spirit and enterprise. In this lie is following the lead of many distinguished English politicians, amongst whom may be named Mr Chamberlain and Mr John Morley. whose declarations in favor of the proposed system were made nearly thirty years ago. English politicians hope by the proposed change, the

writer referred to states, to skives greater freedom to municipal bodies in the exercise of tbeir functions. Mr Asquith stated many years ago bis belief “that the next great step in the direction of a larger and fuller municipal life will be the opening out, as justice and reason required, of the new and hitherto untried source of taxation.” Progressive candidates in

Hie last London County Council election supported this system of rating, though some were prepared to have the rates raised partly upon the improved and partly upon the unimproved values, and at once very naturally became involved in difficulties as to the proper adjustment. The Government is also prepared to undertake the harden of certain national ser-

vices which are now imposed upon the local governing bodies, thus freeing English municipal resources for the development of municipal functions, local councils being at present hampered by the high rates existing in many municipal centres. Many administrative functions which are here considered as belonging to the State, such as education, police, asylums for the- poor, and so forth, are attributed in England to municipal bodies, and prove a heavy burden on the rates.