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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8879, 13 November 1907, Page 4

Another argument against rating on unimproved values has been discovered. According to the Hon. T. K. Macdonald, M.L.C., the system is

destructive of private gardens in

cities. Mr Macdonald recently remarked to a Lyttelton Times reporter that he had been a strong advocate of the system because he believed that it would break up a monopoly that existed amongst certain land-owners- It had done that, but it had called into being a very much worse evil. It was destructive of the amenities which helped to make a city beautiful, such as gardens and other pleasant surroundings. Some men in Wellington 'found that the rates they paid on their gardens were equal to the rent of a large dwellinghouse. The tendency was towards a subdivision of lands laid out in gardens. He felt bound to say that in the city of Wellington proper the unimproved value system had proved a curse instead of a blessing.

There seems to be something satirical about the cable message, published in our columns yesterday, to the effect that there was an improvement in the Morocco situation. The unfortunate Moors have been "stormed at by shot and shell," and coerced, and badgered and bullied by "the Powers of Europe," and now it is said the situation in Morocco has improved! There is a beautiful vagueness about the cable, but in this respect it is like unto many that the Press Association so carefully presents to an innocent public. Whether the situation has improved from a British, German, or French view the cable does not say, but of one thing we may be sure, that it has not improved from the standpoint of the harrassed Moors. "Ha!" says the man wha opens his morning newspaper, "I see the situation in Morocco has improved." Precisely—■ that is just it—the situation in Morocco has improved.

It has frequently been and with considerable truth, that the true teat of the value of the Arbitration Act will be seen when a period of depression is experienced. An example of the soundness of the view mentioned is the fact that recently the Arbitration Court materially increased the wages of flaxmill employees, and, at the time, there seemed to be some justification for the award of the Court. Since then, however, there has been a decided "fall" in the hemp market. The New Zealand Trade Review, referring to the matter, says: "We hear of, some millers, having decided to cease producing, as at present "alues, with royalties on the ruling scale and wages as recently fixed by the Arbitration Court, they could only carry on at a loss. The position has become extremely difficult for many of the millersy and it may lead to a readjustment of royalty arrangements. Wages having been fixed by the Arbitration Court for two years cannot be altered before the expiry of the award."