PAPATOETOE RATING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 461, 17 September 1928, Page 8

PAPATOETOE RATING

Sir, — Allow me, through your columns, to reply to Mr. A. W. Hall's statement issued to the ratepayers on behalf of the Papatoetoe Town Board. Mr. Had and those with him are still no doubt a little sore over the change to the rating on the unimproved value, and some of our ratepayers are no doubt hard hit over the same, for which we are sorry. But they must not forget that while they held large areas of land under the U.V., they had m. fault to find with the system, but as soon as the small owney and the worker wanted the same privilege and exemption for his improvements, everything was wrong. As to the loss of revenue to the board: The building of 104 homes, 11 shops and our splendid new theatre (and town clock) —most of which have been built since TT.V. came into force—speaks for itself. By building the owners have given work to a considerable number of men at a time when work was hard to obtain, and thus provided food and clothing for their families. I would also like to point out that by building these houses, shops and the theatre that the \alue of

the land, not only on which they are built, but in the whole street, has increased and no doubt, at the next valuation, the valuer will have something to say in this respect. I would also like to mention that Wellington has been under U.V. for over twelve years and is still on the map. Devonport has survived for 27 years under the same system. Otahuhu and other places I could mention are forging ahead, while Papatoetoe hangs back. I would like in conclusion just to quote the opinion of the late Rt. JHon. R. J. Seddon on the subject of rating of U.V.: “The rating on U.V. for local purposes has proved a success, and the opinion of the Government is that it should be made compulsory.” W. A. NESBITT, Late Hon. Sec., Papatoetoe U.V. League.