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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 77

Assessment Courts and the Farmers

Assessment Courts and the Farmers.

There is a very strong feeling throughout the country that the constitution of Assessment Courts requires amendment. It is held that one of the members ought to be appointed by the local authority of the district in which reside ratepayers who have lodged objections. As Mr. Kirkbride said, when the Valuation Department Estimates were being discussed the other day:—

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"The Court as at present constituted is a very one-sided one. The three members of the Bench are all Government appointees. Mr. Kirkbride had not a word to say against the Stipendiary Magistrate. It was the appointment of both assessors he objected to. The farmer had not one friend in the Court when he appeared to object, for not only did Government appoint these two assessors, but the unfortunate objector found the local valuer and the district valuer arrayed against him. It was recognised in every kind of dispute that both sides should be represented on the Arbitration Court benches. It would be a great advantage to have a man on the Bench possessing local knowledge.

Mr. Massey said that, as a rule, the men appointed as assessors were defeated candidates; and, what was worse still, in many cases they were avowed single-taxers, who, above all others, were men who should not be appointed. The demand made was simply in the direction of justice, and if they did not get it from the House, they would have to ask the country for it.

Mr. Wood said many complaints were made as to the way some valuers conducted their valuations. They often did not visit the properties they valued.

The Minister did not deny there were complaints against the Department, but urged that the proportion was very small. He had circularised the local bodies on the subject, asking their opinion-another case of searching for a policy!—but there was no settled opinion. He had also tried to find out how local bodies wished to appoint assessors. It does not seem to have occurred to Mr. Mills that it is his business to propose a remedy for a grievance; but that would involve the Government in taking the initiative, and that is a responsibility for which nowadays they have no inclination.