The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 48

One Assessment for Colonial and Local Purposes

One Assessment for Colonial and Local Purposes.

A great and most economical reform would be to have one general assessment by officers of the Property Tax Department for all purposes, whether real property tax, county, borough, road board, river conservators, or other local rate. An important relief to the tax-payer would be at once secured by this, and a uniform system and a standard of value could be laid down for the whole Colony. Really skilled valuers could be engaged for all country districts, and those who know most of such matters will admit that a first-class valuer could go into almost any county and by a careful assessment bring out a higher total and create less dissatisfaction than at present obtain; for discontent, as a rule, is caused by inequalities in assessing and a want of uniformity. This is a reform that is sure to come about, sooner or later.