DETERIORATED lands

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1927, Page 1

DETERIORATED lands

EFFECT OF REVALUATIONS. AUCKLAND. Dee. 28. Sweeping revaluations of, deteriorated lands have been made by the Government, and to-day many county councils are at a loss to see their way to make ends meet out of revenue.

“I think T can say that the position has readied ;i very mute stage/’ said the Minister for Lands (Mr McLeod) when interviewed to-day. “The revenue derivet! from rates on the new valuations is insufficient to keep the counties going. In some cases valuations have been reduced from 2bS to 30s an acre to as little as 5s per acre, and local bodies arc as a consequence faced with the very .difficult problem of maintaining roads and other public facilities out of a very much smaller annual income. These revaluations had to he made and lower values were thoroughly justified in every case, but a new and very difficult phase of flic deteriorated lands problem is now presented. ‘‘Without doubt it is a matter for very close investigation. It will have to he gone into by the Minister for Public. Works, the Minister for Finance, the Prime Minister, and myself. It would appear that the counties will have to he given some assistance if the necessary works and maintenance are. to he carried on. It may he that a sum of money will have to be tiiKen from the Consolidated Fund for this purpose. At the moment 1 can see no other way out.” The revaluations were proceeding steadily, said Mr MeT.ood, and it was hoped to get through everything early in the New Year.