Manawatu Daily Times Farm Lands in Boroughs

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6666, 20 July 1928, Page 6

Manawatu Daily Times Farm Lands in Boroughs

The somewhat unusual procedure is being witnessed this week of the Government introducing legislation on a question on wMch a Royal Commission of its own appointing is still taking evidence. In Feilding the Commission,on farm holdings in boroughs is in the midst of its deliberations, and has already heard a mass of interesting and informative evidence, which certainly shows' that there is more than one side to this difficult problem. Yet we already have a Bill before the House which aims at granting a , reduction of valuations by the Valuer., General with the, concurrence of the local authority on farm lands (exceeding three acres) within boroughs when such lands are not suitable for building purposes or likely to be required for such purposes within a reasonable time.

' Commenting on the measure .the Evening Post points out that there is distinct danger in a provision for such special treat-

ment. In all probability the proposal, if adopted, will bring upon the local authorities numerous applications for special treatment. We cannot see that the need is so pressing as to warrant this. The considerations stated—-that the land is unsuitable for building and not likely to be required for that purpose—arc proper considerations to be taken into account in fixing the value of the land.

If the valuer disregards them the landowner has his reffiedy .in appeal against the, valuation. If .it be argued that the 'original valuation has been made with too optimistic a survey of the borough, and that this should be corrected without waiting for a general revaluation, a principle is admitted which opens the door too widely. Owners of residential and business property may also. claim that they are under a similar hardship.

The greatest danger, indeed, lies in the admission of. an unsound principle. : If the farming land-owner claims relief on the ground that his land is not yet required for building, inlay not the owner of residential land claim relief also on the ground that his property (though it may have a prospective business value) is not yet required for business sites? We cannot see that where, valuations are made on sound considerations and with caution there is a warrant for introducing a disturbing factor. ■