LAND VALUES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3742, 17 January 1907, Page 2

LAND VALUES.

Some time since we mentioned that a local man had bought a section for and had recently disposed ol half of it for There were exceptional circumstances in connection with the sale. However, when this statement was published several sections which were under offer immediately went up in price. It is fair that a man should get as much as he can for his land, but we are of opinion that inflated values are being put on town allotments which is not in the best interests of the borough. It prevents people with limited means from getting homes of their own. The selfish greed for gain has also been brought forcibly under our notice and the land jobber is doing all right. If such individuals would only erect houses on the sections they are gambling with we should not complain —a few are, others are merely speculating. Now, the residents can assist us to make the speculator disgorge a little of his profits for the benefit of the borough by petitioning the Council to take a poll for changing the present system of rating and adopting rating on the unimproved value. The speculator under this system is rated on the same terras as the man who spends his money on improvements. Rating on the unimproved value of the land piust meet with the approval of every fairminded ratepayer, and we hope, ere long, to see our town adopt this system.