CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2597, 3 September 1909, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondence on public matters is welcomed at all times, but it must ho ’ distinctly understood that this journal is in no way associated’ with the opinions of its correspondents. All letters must bo legibly written and inscribed oil one side of the paper only, otherwise they, will not be published. *An asterisk at the toot of a letter indicates that some portion has been- excised.j GOVERNMENT VALUATIONS. ; i [To This Editor.] Sir, —The public are deeply grateful to you for the manly way in which you uphold, on every occasion, the oust rights of the - oppressed. The iniquitous over valuations in this district call for a close investigation, i sincerely doubt whether the Government are aware of the real facts of the numerous oases that now exist in our district. AVliat is .the, cause of it all ? Is it through the land owners wishing to keep up the • price so as to bo ablo to sell at fictitious value, as they generally base the selling price on the valuer’s rate, or is. it through inoompetency of the valuer —it ’ looks like the latter. A valuer should be a practical farmer with years of experience and having a. thorough knowledgeffof the qualities of every soil, and' what it can produce. 'J’his would be the true foundation on which .to value land. Let us ask the question, are our valuers those class of farmers, or have they been ever on an acre jof land? This, I fancy, is the cause of all the unjust valuations. Let< us look closer to home and see if our valuer has got that experience, for without it, it is impossible to give a true or correct value. Then who is to blame? Not the valuer, for he does his best/ but why should he be allowed to accept a position without the necessary grounding? The Government, should certainly see to this very important matter which affects every settler in. the Dominion. If men from cities, men who have been at desk work or behind counters all their lives are entrusted to such an important task it simply means continual discontent, dissatisfaction, and eventually . forfeiture of their homes. Could not farmers’ unions 1 throughout the Dominion urge the Government to appoint none but real practical farmers to the position.—l am, etc. “LAND OAVNER.”