ERROR An article on Page 6 of yesterday's The Royal Gazette incorrectly identified Smith's North MP Cole Simons as the Government Whip. Mr. Simons is the Opposition Whip.

Government Whip Cole Simons has called on the public not to lodge superfluous appeals against land tax bills.

Mr. Simons said he believes homeowners should concentrate on registering their anger at the increases with the Government.

He was speaking after it was revealed that 203 objections have been registered with the Land Valuation Department, against the new annual rental value figures and subsequent bills.

The Smith's North MP said the new ARVs were not the real issue, but the "arbitrary Land-Tax increases'', which he said, were penalising hard working Bermudians.

"I question the real value of having objectors file their appeals to the Land Valuation Officer. It is a smokescreen to enable the Government to show that due process is served.'' "The ARVs have been reviewed on a regular basis to comply with the current rental market at the time of each review,'' he added. "We ought to complement the Land Valuation Officers for a job well done.

"Historically, they have had a margin of discrepancy of less than five percent on each of the five year reviews.

"We should not over-burden the officers and the Land Valuation Appeal Tribunal with excessive and unnecessary ARV appeals.'' Mr. Simons called on those unhappy with their bills to contact the Finance Minister, whose Cabinet he said was responsible for the rate increases -- despite objections from Opposition MPs and residents.

Recently, Land Valuation officials revealed that meetings will take place with unhappy residents, at their properties, where their concerns will be heard.

In the event they are still unhappy with the outcome of the visit, they can then appeal the ARV to the tribunal.

The new ARVs and subsequent Land Tax hikes were agreed after MPs passed the Land Tax Amendment Act 1999.

The legislation decreased bills for 75 percent of homeowners, but saw massive rises for higher-end homes.

Mr. Simons continued: "People should not condemn Land Valuation Officers for complying with the law.

"They should focus their dissatisfaction directly to the Minister of Finance or Cabinet members. The buck stops there.

"The action, in my mind, is not indicative of a people sensitive Government.''