OVERVALUED LAND.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14065, 20 August 1913, Page 5

OVERVALUED LAND.

A FLAW IN THE LAW. (By Telegraph.—Special to Hsbild.) WELLINGTON. August 19. Difficulties arising from over-valuation of blocks under the land for settlement scheme were referred to by the Prime Minister this afternoon, an announcement being made that legislation will have to bo passed to meet the position enabling tenants to take up sections at a rental which will give them a chance of making a living.- ' Mr Dickie (Sclwyn) raised the matte- 1:1 a question as to what was being done to settle the homestead block of 300 acres on the Shear-wood estate. To take up tinblock, he. explained, meant, an expenditure of .£BOO, which was too much for Unblock to carry. The homestead was only lit to he burned down, and ho recommended that this he done, and the adjoining buildings sold for removal. The Cowmisuouer of Crown Lands wanted £2 per acre for feed lights, but this was exevi.sive, and as a result the block bad never been taken up nor let for grazing. The Prime Minister replied that be was strongly of opinion that-it was not in the interest of the, country that sections should lie allowed-to be idle, and he intended to have them utilised at the earliest moment. Then* were quite a number of these sections iu various parts of the country overvalued in the first instance, the result being that the tenants were not able to make a living. It would be necessary to provide by legislation power to reduce tlusc valuations to a proper and equitable level. ■ Replying to another question by Mr Dickie, the Prime .Minister said he would see that something would promptly be done iu connection with the feed, and he would get a report on the whole position.