THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1908. TAXATION EXTRAORDINARY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9188, 10 September 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1908. TAXATION EXTRAORDINARY.

Yesterday the ratepayers of Masterton received a very unexpected and unpleasant surprise, when the rate demands for the year were received. The Borough Council have evidently decided upon largely increasing the taxation, and it seems to us that their action is of a peculiarly unjustifiable character, and indicates very poor administrative capacity in regard to financial matters. It is idle to deny that the town is not in as flourishing a condition as it was twelve months ago, and this being so the Council should reduce expenses where possible, and generally "draw in their horns." But instead of a policy of caution and economy, what do we find? That the Council are spending as much, or more, than they have expended in previous years, and that in order to carry out their very liberal policy they are laying taxation on the ratepayers' shoulders with a heavy hand. There may be something in the contention that a general rate of 2d in the pound

is insufficient, though, we think, at the present time, an increase in the general rate is inadvisable. However, the Council has increased the rate referred to from 2d to 2Jd in th* £, with the result that the Council's income will be swollen by a sum of no less than £561 14s 6d. , One would think that this was tar enough, if not altogether too far, but the Council are in no manner of mind to mince matters. The Mayor and Council have evidently determined upon no ordinary, but nothing les3 than an extraordinary increase in taxation at a moat inopportune time. We allude to the substantial increase in the water rate. For years past the water rate has been sufficient, indeed the account has generally been handsomely in credit, and last year a large sum of money, received by way of water rate, was expended upon water extension?. But—and the complete surprise lies here —the water rate has been increased, until in many cases it represents a sum that is actually burdensome. Will the ratepayers tolerate this kind of administration? We hope not and think not; and consider that they should call upon the Mayor and Council to explain their policy. It is estimated that the increase in the water rate will, if collected, equal a sum somewhere in the vicinity of £I,OOO. If we add the increase in the general rate to the sum just mentioned it appears that the Council has imposed extra taxation upon the ratepayers to the tune of £1,600, approximately. We are confident that the ratepayers will resist the demand for an increased water rate, and that the last word upon the whole question of extra rating has by no means been said.