VALUATION OF LAND ACT.

Matamata Record, Volume XVI, Issue 1446, 31 July 1933, Page 5

VALUATION OF LAND ACT.

SECTIONS 45 AND 50. Minister’s Opinions. That the Government intended to amend Sections 45 and 50 of the Valuation of Land Act was the announcement of great interest to numerous ratepayers made by the Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) last week.

These sections were not operating fairly as far as the general taxpayer was concerned, said the Minister. Many were taking unfair advantage of the clause which allowed an owner to sell his property to the Government at the Government valuation or to have the valuation fixed at his own estimate.

Effect on Local Bodies,

Mr. Ransom said that he had been aproached by local- bodies who desired a revaluation of their districts.. Some contended that a revaluation of rural lands would be the salvation of the 5 farmer. Mr. Ransom said that if he thought a revaluation would put the farmer on a sound footing it would not take him long to prepare legislation. But if values were reduced, say, 20 or 25 per cent, county councils would immediately strike a higher rate to carry on their affairs, and the ratepayer would be no better off on the lower revaluation.

LEGISLATION SOUGHT.

By Counties’ Association.

The necessity for legislation to deal with inequalities brought about by persons using Section 50 of the Valuation of Land Act, 1925, was stressed by speakers at the New Zealand Counties’ Association last week.

Mr. A. E. Jull, M.P., the president, suggested that the executive might .well be asked to stress the inequalities that had become apparent, and to urge remedial measures when the matters were placed before the Government. It was no use the conference arbitrarily seeking to lay dowp anything but a general principle. He considered that the wisest course would be to point out the difficulties that had been created, and to ask for remedial measures.

The president’s suggestion was adopted. The conference carried a remit that- Section 50 of the Act be suspended for a period of not more than two years if no other remedial legislation is passed.

Rates from Crown Tenants.

The following remit was also carried: “ That in the opinion of this meeting the Government should enact legislation whereby local body rates should become a first charge against Crown tenant lands and land mortgaged to State Departments and the revenue therefrom respectively, and in the event of the Government not enacting such legislation at an early date, all local bodies be urged to take the matter up through their Parliamentary representatives.”