Please wait. Contacting image service... loading

Article text

MUNICIPAL RATING REFORM.
A public meeting of tlio ratepayers of tlie city
and suburbs, called by the Hating Reform League
to elicit approval for the hill lo be introducedvby
Mr. Itobinson. M.I-.A., to permit of municipalities,
if they thought fit, taxing unimproved values of
lunu, wns Hem on hriday in the upper hall of the
Melbourne Athenaium. There was n good attend-
unco, and Mr. Robinson presided.
The Chairman explained 'that the principle was
E? thu PUon the -ratepaycra.
ihe bill should ttterefore commend itself to even
the opponents, of. the principle. The present sys
tem, lie, allowed, was really a tax upon the enter
prising citizen, allowing the speculative land ow
ner to- go almost free. Tlie principle had
been in force in Queensland, and New Zealand for
some years, and had worked so well that even tho
Conservative class did not seek to alter It.
Mr. Higgins, M.P., moved a resolution urging on
Parliament tho desirableness of passing the bill
He remarked that land legislation was at the very
basis of the social question, and had even far more
reaching effects than such measures as the Fac
tories Act. The bill would render taxation more
equitable, and would have the effect of greatly
stimulating production and increasing the wealth
of the community. Air. Trenwhh, AI.L.A., se
conded the motion, which was supported by Air.
Max Hired), ««ii J canlcu uiihusl unanimously, it
was then decided that .a deputation should wait
u|)on tlie Premier, and lay the resolution before
$