LAND VALUATIONS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17127, 23 April 1921, Page 10

LAND VALUATIONS.

STATEMENT BY SIR FRANCIS BELL. OPRKSS ASSOCIATION TBLKJRAU.^ WELLINGTON. April 22. The revaluation of land hns been proceeding in many parts of New Zealand lately, -and very large increases have been recorded in the valuation roll. Protests . and complaints are coming from many quarters now on the ground that tho increased valuations, which mean increased local and general taxation, are taking effect at a timo when farm lands' are less profitable than at any time for many years past. Representations on the point were made to the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir Francis Bell) to-day, by a deputation, which asked that the Government _ should make taxe*' and rates payable on tho ojd valuations during the period of financial stringency. Tho deputation argued that owners of properties now being revalued would, be likely to have an advantage over owners whose new valuations had. been made before the drop in the prices of produce began. Sir Francis 8011, in reply, said that revaluations were hemrr made all. the time, generally at the request 6f the local authorities. It wad true that the work had fallen behind during the war, and that a specially largo amount, of revaluation hod been undertaken lately. When the new valuations-had been made, and confirmed, they were recorded, on tho valuation roll automatically, and ho had riot the power to hold back these valuations. If he had the power, the postponement wpuld not, bo hist to districts that had been revalued last year.. He did not agree that objectors no.w would.have" a better chance of securing reductions than objector* had last.year, since, the valuations were never brought abreast of selling values. This Minister added that he recognised that the increase of taxation owing; to the increase of valuations was a serious matter for some people at the present time. The sole remedy was for those -who had the right to object now, to do so, and for Parliament to consider later in the year whether or not there ought to be a reduction this year in the land tax; .and in tho.local rates to tin amount that AvGuld bring down the taxation to tire level' of tho taxation on the'Valuations''of, say, four years ago. Such an'arrangement might be possible, but he anticipated that, if it Was proposed, every local authority in New Zealand would'be at the throat of the Government. It had long been a grievance with local authorities that the valuations were too low, and that their revenue suffered from- this cause. The Government would consider the matter, • arid see if some legislation dealing with tho difficulties.that had arisen could be prepared for the consideration of Parliament/ next session.