LAND VALUATIONS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 268, 6 August 1920, Page 8

LAND VALUATIONS

INCREASES SUGGESTED

THE OFFICIAL VIEW

A 6Hf;Kestioii that the Government should appoint a board of valuers to go into tho whole question of land values, with 11 view to a fair and reasonable assessment of land values throughout theDominion, was made in the House of Representatives by Mr. G. AVitty (1' 1C " carton), who said there was a big ditfer--ence in nearly all cases between tlm Government valuation 'of land for taxation purposes and tho pries asked by the owners. In one case the Government valuation was .CIB,OOO, but the price assed the Government was JJBO.OUO. "Tlie proposal of the honourable member could not be put into practice with satisfactorv results," replied tho Minister, of Lands. "A board of valuers could -not acquire such accurate information respecting lands in all the districts of tho Dominion .as would enable it to as.slgn fair and reasonable values thereto. It would be influenced more or less by current market value, which is generally inflated. ■■J'urthcrmoro, the effectiveness of the proposal would depend upon the relationship of, the board to the district valuers of the Department. If the district valuers subordinated their olvu opinions as to land values and accepted those of tho board, then the Department might as well hand over the duty ana responsibility of valuing to the latter. On tho other hand, if the district valuers failed to agree with the board and vetoed its .Teeommendations, the GovornmCiflt would become engaged in endless oisimtes with owners. The Valuation of land Act defines the basis of valuation, provides the machinery for appeal to tno Assessment Court where values are contested, and authorises an Independent valuation of real estate in the Dominion by valuers employed by the Government who arc responsible to the government alone. As the values assigned and entered on the district valuation rolls are used not only for State lann tax purposes and rating, but by tho State lending Departments and other State Dcp',irtm:nts,_ the necessity of-an independent valuation is obvious."