SYSTEM OF VALUATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17408, 22 May 1928, Page 7

SYSTEM OF VALUATION.

NOT UNIFORM ENOUGH. FARMERS URGE CHANGE. VARIED VIEWS EXPRESSED. “Guess-work,” was how- a delegate to the provincial conference of the Farmers’ Union characterised .the system of local -valuation at the opening session this morning. “Looking over a hilltop and saying, ‘That land is worth so much an acre,’ it not an equitable way of valuing,” said Captain Rusftworth (Opua). Captain F. Colbeck (Morrinsville) said all farms in the country were valued on the same basis. “We are all suffering from the same disease.” “Half the men appointed are not fit to value land,” said Mr McConochie # (Paparoa). Other delegates said the wording of the remit was too vague. There was no adequate system to substitute. Very definite evidence that there was no 'Co-ordination or system was given in Hamilton some months ago, when property owners protested at the unfair valuation, said Mr R. 11. Mr Lee Martin, M.P., spoke in support of Mr Feisst. Mr A. N. Macky (Cambridge) said if the remit read “that present methods of land valuation should be replaced by a uniform system,” it would read better than “scientific system.” He moved an amendment to that effect. Mr A. E. HarcHng said some districts in New Zealand had not been valued for 20 years. These districts were not paying enough in rates. On the other hand,, in districts which had progressed the valuation was being fixed every three years. What was wanted was a uniform system; e\eiy district in the Dominion should be revalued on the same day. (Hear, hear.) Mr C. J. Ryan (Ohura) contended the present system would be hard to alter. It would be just as ■difficult to base valuation on the productive value of a farm, as such value changed every year. . . - The amendment that the basis of land valuation be on productive value was lost. . The motion, with the word uniform” substituted was carried. Thirty voted for the motion and l against;