THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 868, 14 July 1910, Page 6

THE HOUSE.

VALUATION DEPARTMENT. PRESENT SYSTEM CRITICISED. NEW BILL FORESHADOWED. Tlio laying on the table of a return reeling to I ho Valuation Department was (he occasion for a general discussion on the system in connection with this important branch of (he Public Service. Mr. J'as. ALLEN (Bruce) brought up tho matter by asking the Hon. 1). Buddo, the Minister in charge of the Department, whether any alterations in regard l» the s.v>lem of lioveriiiiicnt valuations was proposed. Mr. Bl'Dl-W stated that much objection hud been taken to a sugKcsUon, luadu principally by branches of Uie

farmers' unions, that local bodies should take over the valuing of their districts. As far as he could see, the Valuation Department was giving every satisfaction. It was therefore not proposed to make any alterations iu regard to the work of the Department. A Question. Mr. Massey: Do you intend to introduce any amendment to tho Act so as to givo "members an opportunity of expressing their opinions on tho existing system : j Mr. Buddo: It is not considered necessary (o bring in any amendment to the Act. As a matter of fact, thero is no proposal as regards any amendments. About a year ago there was an outcry for an amendment of the system chiefly by branches of the Farmers' Union, but subsequently the system had been generally approved. There was, as he had said, no general demand now for any alteration. Mr. Allen: There was a distinct proposal to alter the system; in fact, action was taken, for a number of valuers were dismissed on the plea that the Government" wero no longer going,to do the valuations for local bodies. Mr. Buddo replied that the Government carried on valuations both for local bodies and private individuals, and as far as he knew no objections were being mado excepting now and again in so far as unavoidable delays were concerned. Mr. Allen: Have tho officials who were got rid of been replaced? " Mr. Buddo: No; it has not been necessary. Mr. ROSS (Pahiatna) declared thj* there was a good deal of dissatisfacthsft with reference to the conduct of the work of the Department. He hoped that there was not going to be the same delay in regard to the valuation of Native lands as had characterised the work of the Valuation Department in the past. Under the present system Crown tenants were handicapped in the matter of valuations. This was felt in particular by tenants when they made application for a loan to the State, for they were told that their interest in the improvements was swallowed up by the trade. Old Age Pensioners' Property, Mr. T. E. TAYLOR (Christchurch North) referred to tho fact that old age pensioners were affected as a result of an increase in tho valuation of their property. It was his opinion that pensions should not bo affected by such a procedure. Properties held by pensioners should be specially dealt with by valuers, so that they should not be placed under this disability. Mr. BUCHANAN (Wairarapa) pointed to a case where an applicant for a pension had a property at Petone, from which he was deriving no income. The property was valued at .£OOO, but the owner would sell if ho could for twothirds or half that amount, in order that he might qualify for tho pension, but he was unable to do so. There was every reason to believo that the valuation in this instance was very far astray. Mi. OKEY (Tarannki) emphasised tho fact that valuations should be kept up to date. lie knew of one locality whore no valuation had been taken since the bush was thrown. Mr. WITTY (Riccartcn) said that he was surprised at the remarks of the last speakor s for he had always understood that the Opposition claimed that tho country was over-valued. Mr. Hardy: So it is. Mr. Witty said that valuations were oftentimes unduly delayed. The Government's Proposals. Tho PRIME MINISTER referred to the suggestion made by Mr. T. E. Taylor. Ho said that the property exemption for pensioners was .i.'3-10. Supposing values increased five-fold, tho whole basis on which pensions wero granted would have to bo reconsidered. As regards the valuation question, Sir Joseph said that sumo time back tho Opposition said that tliey did not believe that much saving had been made out of the retrenchment; now they were clamouring for an increase in the stall' of the Valuation Department. Ho thought that, it was time there was legislation fixing a definite time for the valuations to take place, and hnw long they wero to run. His own opinion was that the valuations should run three years, and later on he would submit legislation on tho subject. As a matter of fact, the fluctuations in values did not as a rule materially affect the revenue. Mr. Massey: That was the intention of tho Act. Sir Joseph: Wo have increased them deliberately on large areas. In conclusion, Sir Joseph said that it was not intended to mako further appointments to the Department unless the requirements warranted if. As members knew, a new Valuer-General had been appointed. Mr. Massey: Who is he? Sir Joseph: Mr. Flannagan, and ho is a very good man, too. Are Land-ov/ners Penalised? Mr. MASSEY said that they had just had another illustration, of the divisions that existed in the Cabinet. Only a few minutes before Mr. Buddo had stated that thero would bo no opportunity this session to discuss the valuation law. But now tlio Prime Minister had stated that the opportunity which was being sought would be afforded. Sir Joseph: Not in tho way you mean. Mr. Massey went on to refer to hardships under tho law of 1007, and said that ho was glad to see that Sir Joseph was coming round to his way of thinking, that land-owners should no! be penalised, as was the case at preseut. Mr. HOGAN (Wanganui) advocated tho reorganisation of the Valuation Department, and the appointment of additional valuers to enable the work to 'bo done more expeditiously. Other speakers on the subject were: Messrs. Ell, J. C. Thomson, Prlaud, Glover, Hogg, and Smith. Further Remarks by Mr, Buddo. Tho Hon. D. BUDDO (in reply) spoke of tho necessity for periodical revisions of valuation rolls. If a valuation wero made for loan purposes it must be put on tho roll for all purposes, it would be almost impossible under any system of valuation to meet a ease such as that quoted by Mr. Buchanan. To Mr. Okey he would be obliged if he would givo him the names of those localities which required to bo revalued. Replying (n other members, Mr. Buddo said that inflated values should not be used for taxation purposes. He went, on to deny that laud-owners had been penalised under the existing law. If was his opinion that there was no' necessity for material alterations in tho Act. The law was elastic enough to enable good work to bo done.