LAND VALUES

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 February 1923, Page 7

LAND VALUES

MAJOR BELCHER’S RHI’OKT. (“Times” Service). LONDON, January 29. Referring to .Major Belcher’s report to the Empire Exhibition Executive re inflated land values in New Zealand, Mr. T. E. Donne, of the New Zealand Office, said that as soon as Sir James Allen received a copy oi the report, lie wrote to the Duke of Devonshire protesting that, apart from their inaccuracy, the statements were most irrelevant. The Duke replied that they were unfortunate and irrelevant, but said he understood they were confidential. Lord Wintour took the same i iew.

“It is a. little difficult,” said Mr. Donne. “Io accept the management’s explanation. The report was widely circulated. Extracts were furnished by the publicity stall to many provincial. newspapers, one of which headed them “Disastrous Results of Inflated Land Vaiues I” The ext rad s stated that, despite New Zealand’s prosperity (he farmers were in a perilous position. It proceeded “Many tanners have been ruined. Others were so loaded with mortgages that they owned neither their farms nor their stocks.’’

“How can the management claim the document was confidential,” concluded Mr. Donne, “when the Publicity Stall’ issued it Io the Press! 1 Lord Winlour attributed the publication to the mistake of an over-zealoirs official. ’

MR. MASSEY'S COM MF. NTS

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON. January 31

Mr. Alassey was to-day interviewed regarding the report to the Empire Exhibition Executive by Major Belcher, of the Empire ‘Mission, who recently visited New Zealand.

Major Belcher referred Io l he iullalion of land values in New Zealand, slating l he sei Ilers were in a parlous position When interviewed respect me; Major Belcher’s leporl the LMiiii* Minister said that it was understood that the Empire Mission to New Zea-

land was to ascertain what support would be forthcoming for the exhibition. He could not understand why the Mission considered it part of their duty to report upon (he financial or commercial position of the country, ci whether its producers happened to be prosperous or passing through depression. Respecting value of land, he said, it can be bought in New Zealand from £1 io £2OO an acre according to quality. It was quite true that the settlers, in the past two years, had had difficulty’ in making ends meet, and New Zealand was not an exception in this respect; but the position had now greatly 7 improved. Regarding the railways, Mr. -Massey said that for their class, the financial results will compare favourably with those in other parts of the Empire, especially during the difficult, times through which the world has been passing since the war. The grading of cattle here was ahead of that in the United Kingdom. In conclusion, Mr. Massey 7 said . — “The line of criticism taken by the Mission does not tend io encourage a friendly feeling with Britain, or to inspire confidence in the Exhibition. New Zealand would support the Exhibition in proportion to its population and resources.” Regarding the remarks of Major Belcher on hotel accomodation, the Premier stated, it was admitted that, they could not compare with the best hotels in older countries, but there were many v.hich were as comfortable.