MOUNT ROSKILL RATING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 35, 4 May 1927, Page 13

MOUNT ROSKILL RATING

MR. P. J. O’REGAN’S ADDRESS POLL ON SATURDAY A large gathering of Mount Roskill ratepayers met in the Methodist Hall, Greenwood’s Corner, last evening to hear the views of Mr. P. J. O’Regan, of Wellington, on the question of rating on unimproved values. Mr. O’Regan, in the course of his address, said that the absurdity of the present system of rating on improved values could be seen, when it was realised that in order to pay the minimum tes a ratepayer should do nothing t improve his property. Immediately a ratepayer added Improvements to his property he was compelled under the present system to pay a higher rate. In other words, he had to pay for his own work and time that he gave to improving his property. The value of the land under the present system was taxed without reference to tne fundvimental difference between unimproved, or community-created value, end the value resulting from labour or industry of the owner, which found repression in what was generally termed improvements. gaining in popularity Continuing, the speaker said that out oi the U 8 boroughs in the Dominion 75 rtf* ad ° pted the system of rating on S m * )rocved value, and 53 out n * Coun ties. It is gratifying to te that although the law provides j a rescinding poll on the question ; three years, only 15 polls have en taken, and only four succeeded. , a great advance if the ioie of the money raised by local r ,® 8 tn the way of rates were levied n the unimproved value of land. sril, 0 ! 0 ?, 01118 * 011, the speaker stated that orhi U K l ? n In land could be prevented pr °P er use of the power of 7,71 and urged his audience to JS , e new system of rating at Poll to be held on Saturday. ~ iar^e number of questions were and the meeting concluded n»e^ker h6arty V ° te ° f thanks to the