EXCESSIVE LAND VALUATIONS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 148, 19 April 1909, Page 5

EXCESSIVE LAND VALUATIONS.

Speaking at a meeting of the Auckland Executive of the Farmers" Union an Friday. the president. Mr Allen Bell, remarked that the increases in tend valuations this year were simply astounding. In some eases the valuations had doubled; land valued formerly at 18 per acre was now assessed at £l6 to £1?. Pvavoiusly considerable success had been met by organising and employing a solicitor to contest the valuations. The increase was going on right throohgeut* the Dominion, and, as far as he could see, if the rate of increase went on a tittle longer, no one would be able to hold freehold tend. Farmers throughout the Dominion should take a solid stand in this matter. Me would move: "That this executive take steps to hold conference of farmers in suitable places throughout the province, for the purpose of considering the adviaableness I of bringing influence to bear on the j Government, with a view to doing away with the present system of valu- j ation, and substituting one more prac- ! tieat and fair to the farming community." What he wanted to see discussed, the president went on to say. was the system of rating. His own opinion was that the rating should be on the annual value of the land. Under the present system of forcing up values. the Government was playing into the hands of the land speculator Mr F. Dye, Kaukapakapa, seconded the motion.

Mr F. Cotbeek. Clevedon, thought that if the increase was general it wa* not a very serious thin jr. because a certain amount of re venae had to be raised

Mr J. C. Boddic. Tc Kwiti, remarked that protests against excessive valuation* often broke down, because the valuers were able to quote sates at figures exceeding the valuations. What waa wanted was more equality aboat the system. Recently the Prime Minister had indicated that there would be a decided change in the system of valuation. The especially annoying thing was the undervaluing of improvements on bush and swamp land. No one can tell the real amount of improvement required to bring in bosh and swamp land, and the consequence was that the allowance under that head was ridiculously small. In some districts over speculation had raised valuations to an enormous extent, and now that a slight depression was felt, the valuations should have decreased rather than increased.

The President said rvery farmer knew how impossible it was to assess improvements at their true value, and, therefore, the system broke down at the outset. The system of taxation on annual value was comparatively simple, and would be infinitely better than the ridiculous system in vogue. Mr Colbeck: You can compel the Government to take land at your valuation, plus 10 per cent., if the valuer declines to reduce the valuation to your estimate. The President: Yes; but thousands of people would not part with their homes for treble the market value, and that is the spirit that should be encouraged. The motion was then carried unanimously.