THE RATING SYSTEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1922, Page 4

THE RATING SYSTEM.

AMENDMENT TO THE ACT. BILL BEFORE THE HOUSE. By Telegraph.—Frees Association. , Wellington, Last Night. In the House to-night, the Hou. W. D. Stewart moved the second reading of the Rating Amendment Bill. He explained that it was a short measure designed to give effect to recommendations from the municipal associations conference covering the applications of rating on unimproved land values, additional charges in respect of unpaid ra‘es and rebates per missable in the cane of rates paid promptly. Mr. F. F. Hockly (Rotorua) opposed clause four, empowering an additional charge on unpaid rates. Otherwise the Bill was a useful one. Sir John Luke (Wellington North) considered it /unwise to give local 'bodies power to alter the method of rating by resolution. Unimproved rating was not suitable for a city like Wellington, where the congestion was serious. Mr. D. G. Sullivan supported the Bill as being likely to help municipal finance by inducing ratepayers to pay up earlier. He defended rating on unimproved values, though he agreed with Sir John Luke that safeguards were necessary to prevent building on too small areas. Dr. H. T. Thacker (Christchurch East) suggested the inclusion of power whereby local bodies may use loan moneys in hand temporarily in anticipation of the ordinary rate revenue coming in. Criticism of the measure by members was somewhat mixed, members being evenly divided for and against Clauses 4 and 5, which provided for a penalty and rebate oa overdue and promptly-paid rates, respectively. The Minister, in reply, said the Bill was going to the Statutes Revision Committee, where all contentious points could bo further considered. The Bill was read a second time and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee.