“MOST UNFAIR POSITION”

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1933, Page 9

“MOST UNFAIR POSITION”

LAW OF LAND VALUATIONS THE RIGHTS GIVEN OBJECTORS. SALE OFFER TO VALUER-GENERAL. ASSESSMENT COURT ARGUMENT. By Telegraph:—Press Association. Wellington, July IS. Section 45 of the Valuation of Land Act, which allows a property-owner who is dissatisfied with the Government valuation to offer to sell the property to the Valuer-General, was the subject of outspoken comment by Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., in the Assessment Court to-day. The district land valuer, Mr. Mackenzie, had asked that evidence should be called in a case in which the owners had announced their intention of offering the property. Mr. Hewitt replied that they had the right. What was the use of calling evidence? When Mr. Mackenzie said the time had come when they should make a stand, Mr. Hewitt said: “It is no use wasting time. I quite understand the position. I have made it plain and I think that this section leads to an extremely unfair position. However, neither you nor I are responsible for it. We didn’t make the law. It is a.right the owner has.” Mr. Mackenzie: “It would be illuminating to you and other members of the court to hear the evidence.” Mr. Hewitt: “Nothing could me. I have had enough illumination throughout New Zealand already. I think this thing is a farce. I may say that in Auckland, with 170 objections in: one day, there was not a single case heard, not one but offered at prices that they never intended to sell at, but it is the law.”

Mr. Mackenzie: “I think: that publicity may stop them.” Mr. Hewitt: “Stop themU The more publicity you give it, the more offers you will have. I have never kept this secret, and I have always felt this way about it. It is a right they have in law and they can exercise it. That it leads 'to an,extremely unfair position with;-regard to other*'ratepayers is not your fault of mine.” ' ,