LAND ASSESSMENT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 224, 21 September 1907, Page 4

LAND ASSESSMENT.

The Land Assessment Bill has practically gone through Committee without any serious opposition. Mr Laurenson made an effort to have the taxable limit reduced from £40,000 to £25,000, but a large majority declined to endorse his views. Sir Joseph Ward is of opinion that to go under £40,000 would result in the market being flooded with properties, besides inflicting great hardship upon owners, which it is desired to avoid. Consequently the Government view was adopted, and the £40,000 limit was adhered to. A clause was added making the operation of the Bill take effect for the year ending March 1910. One matter was incidentally touched upon, which, while it does not com© within the scope of this measure, is still worthy of note. Mr Ell referred to the fact that there were estates in Wellington, Christenurch, and other cities, representing very largo figures, ntnning into many thousands of pounds, all due to increased increJnent, These he considered were cases

for progressive land tax. One property he mentioned, now valued at £110,435, which was sold in the early days for £24. These were business sites, the value of which were created by the community, and they should be made to contribute towards the revenue of the country. The ministerial reply to this was that the Bill under discussion was designed to cut up large estates for purposes of settlement. Obviously this could not apply to business properties in the city. The point is however one that has been previously noted, and which it is as well to mentally docket for future reference.