Land Agents Want Rise in Prices at Invercargill

Grey River Argus, 2 October 1948, Page 4

Land Agents Want Rise in Prices at Invercargill

P.A. INVERCARGILL, Oct. 1. At a meeting of members of the Southland Branch of the Real Estate Institute, members expressed concern at what they termed an increasing number of low values being fixed by the Southland Land Sales Court for sections and residential property in Invercargill. Members considered that, in view of greatly increased costs since 1942, both as regards replacement and maintenance, the time had more than arrived for consideration of the question of advancing the 1942 values to something nearer a fairer and more reasonabe price for the sellers, especially when nearly all other wartime restrictions had been lifted and when the Land Sales Courts had been abolished altogether in Australia.

It was decided to forward a remit on the subject to the annual conference of the Institute to be held this month at Invercargill, which will be attended by delegates from all Dominion branches.

Members expressed the opinion that the Land Sales Courts as at present constituted were not democratic in composition in that the vendor of land denied the right, as previously prevailed in the Arbitration Courts, to appoint an assessor to watch his or her interests during a hearing resulting from a Crown objection or acquisition, whereas the present Land Sales Courts consisted entirely of Government appointees. To appeal against a decision meant a long delay, and further expense, it was stated.