RATES AND VALUES

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 6 September 1932, Page 7

RATES AND VALUES

ANOMALIES SUBMITTED DEPUTATION) TO MR FORBES AUCKLAND 1 , Sept. 6. Two questions of wide interest to local bodies in their capacity as rating autihoritiejs. Avjarei Brought, before the Prime Minister, the Rit. Hon. G. W. Forbes, 'by a deputation from Hender.son Town Board. One related to the impossibility of collecting rates from lands reverting to the CiroAA'n, and the. other to- anomalies under the Valuation of Land Act Avhich enabled owners to secure, reduced valuations by offering their holdings to the Crown vlien there ivas little likelihood that the GroAvn desired to purchase. The Prime Minister said the question had been tinder the Government’s consideration for some time. He recognised the difficulties thereby caused to local bodies. “No doubt in normal times aa’o could meet the position, ”j said Mr Forbes, “but noiv the Government is more hard up than the local bodies l —‘that is- the strength of it.”

“I can assure you that there is no competition between the Government and private lenders,”, continued Air Forbes. “The State lends money for the purpose of helping those who could not be, accommodated otherwise. The State merely lends its borrowing powers for the purpose.” Regarding the valuation question, Air Forbes said that was another of the problems brought about by the depression. “Alany properties are offered to the Government,” he said, “but we do not want te buy a lot of little isolated sections. It has been suggested that anyone within a certain period should be allowed to take advantage of such offers. If the land were not then taken it would be pretty certain that it was not worth the price, asked. I recognise that the offering of the property to the Government does, not give a fair indication of its value. An amendment of the law on that point is under consideration. We want to put the position on a fairer basis and to protect local bodies to a greater extent. I hope we may be able to deal with the question during the coming session of Parliament. —“Dominion”! Service.