URBAN LAND VALUES

Taranaki Daily News, 6 June 1930, Page 16

URBAN LAND VALUES

“DANGEROUSLY HIGH LEVEL.” UNECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Uncontrolled subdivision of land into building sections was condemned by the director of town-planning, Mr. J. W. Mawson in an address to local body representatives at Wellington. “We must stop the sporadic and uneconomic development now taking place all over the Dominion,” said Mr. Mawson. “The situation is absolutely serious. But not content with that, we insist on further subdivision each year to provide building sections for many times the normal increment in population. Most of these subdivisions are frankly of a speculative nature. “Not the least serious feature about uncontrolled subdivision is that it takes valuable farming land out of production, or else places a hurdle of rates on the land, which renders farming uneconomic. “Urban land values in New Zealand in relation to population are at a dangerously high level. Property in Wellihgton* is changing hands at d equal to the highest prices obtained in many American cities approaching 1 00'6,090 of population. The owners mav ’possibly be able to secure economic rentals, but I doubt it. Do not forget that it is the farmers who pay these rentals. “I put it to you that there is a case for regional planning in New . Zealand. I do not.know how else the matter,cam be tackled except by the gHoli-; tion of . pur. present system ■ of local government.” v