POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 101, 14 September 1912, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES.

LAND VALUES. By Telegraph—Own Correspondent. Wellington, Last Night. In the House of Representatives today, Mr. Forbes gave notice to ask the Prime Minister whether the statement made by the official organiser of the Government Party at a meeting of the North Canterbury branch of the Farmers' Union, and reported to the Christchurch Press of yesterday's date, that "the money the farmer paid for the land was just as much an improvement as anything else," had an official sanction, and, if so, does he not think that if the Government valuers are instructed to give effect to that principle when valuing large estates the proposed increase of the graduated land tax will be thereby nullified? Mr. Forbes' question is, of course, absurd in its suggestion. The Government valuers, as everyone knows, have to comply with the law, and their instructions must be in accordance with the Valuation Act. To suggest anything else is ridiculous. INDEPENDENT LIBERALS. The rumor has been circulated here that Messrs Myers and Wilford have abandoned the old Liberal party and virtually joined Mr. Massey. lam assured Iby those in the know that both those gentlemen declare that they have no intention of joining Mr. Massey. Their [position is simply that of Independent ■ Liberals.