In the Commons on Friday week Mr. C. Trevelyan moved
the second reading of the Land Values (Assessment and Rating) Bill. The measure, which embodies, with certain modifications, principles of Bills introduced in former Sessions, proposes that in the case of undeveloped property the real selling value of the land should be the basis of taxation for local purposes. Land values are to be rated separately from buildings, the land value to be taken at 3 per cent. on the selling value, and unoccupied premises are to be subject to rating, but only on the land value. The Bill was strongly supported by Mr. Asquith, who laid stress on the fact that the rating authorities of most of our urban communities favoured its proposals, and on the encouraging experience of New Zealand. Mr. Grant Lawson, Secretary to the Local Government Board, while explaining that the Government intended to bring no pressure to bear on their supporters, opposed the Bill in a closely reasoned speech. After Mr. Cripps's amendment—condemning as unsatisfactory any change in the incidence of local taxation which did not make further provision for the equitable con- tribution of all kinds of property towards the rates—bad been negatived by 223 to 156, the Bill was read a second time.
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