FIXING LAND VALUES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20375, 2 October 1929, Page 13

FIXING LAND VALUES.

CRITICISM'OF THE SYSTEM.

INVESTIGATION OF METHODS. THE EFFECT ON TAXATION,. [by telegraph.—special reporter.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday. Tlio system of valuing land was referred to in the House to-day, the Minister of Lands, the Hon. 0. W. Forbes, expressing tlio opinion tliat while (lio system was by no means perfect, tlio valuations as a wholo were reasonable. Mr. 11. A. Wright (Roform —Wellington Suburbs) said it should bo tlio duty of the department to sco that land was not unduly inflated. He did not suggest that there had been an attempt to inflate city properties, but the fact remained that in Wellington a number of peoplo had found that their properties had increased in value for 110 apparent reason. A number of peoplo who had never paid land lax were now called upon to meet the charge. "I think that anything in the way of fancy valuations should not bo countenanced," said Mr. Wright, who added that ho would liko to know what system was adopted and whether tho valuers relied upon their own judgment. Mr. W. L. Martin (Labour —Raglan) agreed that there should bo a uniform system. v Mr. I). Jones (Reform—Mid-Canter-bury) said tho idea that farmers wcro given exemption for their improvements was wholly inaccurate. Tho great proportion of farmers' valuations to-day wcro improvements. Thus in the case of a man who spent £25 an acre 011 draining swamp land, the valuer, in inspecting the property, saw nothing but a grass paddock, and tho valuation was made accordingly. Mr. R. "McKcen (Laboui —Wellington South) said it was impossible for valuers to give individual attention to valuations. So overworked were tlio valuers that it had been said one property was valued as the official rode by in a motor-car. Some Wellington builders building for the State Advances Oflice were thoroughly dissatisfied with the valuers. The Minister of Lands, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, said he agreed that the timo had arrived when tho whole question should lie gone into with a view to arriving at how tho system worked out in tho country and how it affected taxation. The Hon. W. Downic Stewart (Reform —Duncdin West): Before the Taxation Bill goes through? (Laughter.) Tho Minister: I cannot• promise that. While wo would like to be able to do everything at once you can see that an investigation of that kind would take a long while." The Minister added that tho officers of tho department had recently undertaken a big job in valuing tho cities of Wellington and Christchurch. Taken as a whole tho valuations were reasonable, although lie admitted they wore not perfect.