ACQUISITION OF LAND

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27018, 18 April 1953, Page 2

ACQUISITION OF LAND

Sir, —The reply of the Minister of Works printed in “The Press’’ on Monday, to my letter printed on Thursday last, does not answer any of my questions but says that the compulsory provisions of the Public Works Act (1928) are only applied when negotiations fail. That statement is incorrect. Such procedure is not being adopted by his department. Frequently, it could truly be said that proper businesslike negotiations are never opened up because departmental officers quote ridiculously low prices in the way of compensation, approximately 20 per cent, of the market value. They made regular calls upon the owners, bluffing, niggling, misrepresenting the facts, and intimidating them, until, in many cases, they have submitted. Yes, the prices can be fixed by the Land Valuation Court by complying with the Government’s dictation, conditions, methods of valuation and early "rackets”—the aftermath of the Land Sales Court. Undoubtedly bureaucratic control exists. —Yours, etc., AWAKE. April 3, 1953.

Sir, —May I quote my experience with the Public Works Department mder the National Government? About two years ago, when approached by a Public Works Department official concerning my land, I agreed to consider the sale of a given area—actually the major part. He agreed to submit to me appropriation on those lines. That was not done. Instead, I received a letter from his department advising that a notice of intention to take my land (compulsorily) would be issued. In due course notice of intention to take my land was received. /It described the area to be taken, just half as much again as I had agreed to sell. Later, when final notice taking my land by proclamation was received, the area taken was further increased. Is such procedure in accordance with that published by the Ministef. of Works? Is it businesslike or fair play? Does it indicate bureaucratic control? Readers may decide.—Yours, etc., INTERESTED. April 6, 1953. [‘‘l do not feel disposed to make any comment on anonymou's correspondence of this nature, and unless the writers are prepared to furnish their names I do not propose to reply to their statements,” said the Minister of Works (Mr W. S. Goosman) when these two letters were referred to him.]