15 FEBRUARY 1913, Page 16

"GOVERNMENT LAND VALUATION. (To the Editor of the Yorkshire Post.)

SIR,—Apart from the enormous cost of the valuation, it now appears that it will cause a loss to the revenue in ways not anticipated, one of which is in stamp duties. Small owners and speculators are now selling at the price fixed by the valuation plus a sum which may be called a bonus. to repay them for time and trouble in dealing with the property. This amount is arranged between buyer and seller, and, of course, does not appear upon the deeds, and consequently escapes stamp duty.—Yours, etc.,

VALUER."