SMALL GRAZING RUNS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16433, 29 January 1919, Page 3

SMALL GRAZING RUNS.

A MINISTERIAL PROMISE

(srEci.w, xo ''the tress.'')

TIMARU, January 28

At Fairlie last night a deputation, consisting of Mr A. G. Nalder (Burke's Pass) and Mr Arthur Bale ("Manaliuno"), waited ou the Minister for Lands, as representatives of holders and leases of small grazing runs, to ask what was the position of such lessees since the legislation of last session affecting. their leases, and as to when thev might expect their new" • leases, which should have been given in March last.. The Minister said that these leases were originally granted under the Act of 1885. In .1892 the law was changed because it was never intended that such lands should be let at a rental of per cent, of tho value of the fee simple (less the value of improvements) when money might be worth 7 or 8 per cent. The alteration stated that the rent should be "not less" than per cent, of the value of tho fee simple. It was said by some that there was an ambiguity ■ which constituted a weak spot in "tho Act, though the Crown law officers contended that there was no weakness. To test the matter a friendly case was taken to the Appeal Court, and then to the Privy Council. Both the Court and the Council decided that there was «v loop-hole, so Parliament had amended tho Act to. carry out the original intention. Section 28 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1912 (relative to the subdivision of small grazing runs) had been extended to small grazin.g runs under the Land Act, 189.., but tho lessees' interests had been conserved. Sub-section .7, of .section (So of the Land Laws Amendment Act of .1913, had been repealed, and compensation would hp P a id for all Crow u lands so taken. The lessees would, be paid for all improvements, and they would be placed on tho samo basis, in regard to the. tak'ng of land tor subdivision as freeholders.' The new ! leases had been held over- until .'this p.Qiflt/ was 'settied last •session,- and . was. no reason •wltv.-.tfiore' should.teVany (further., delay, "in ifsuiu 0 * them*,' * ,)vere,to be'."not less" than.' 2i : P e ? cent V>'• and thev might be up to ,4 per cenij. In reply to Mr "Italc, Mr Byodnck (Under-Secretary for Lands), said ; that the lessees of small grazing runs, would get- their leases almost at once. If the lessees considered the : new rents too high they could object and have them fixed by arbitration „ The Minister added that the. lessees would get twelve months' notice, during which time they would be charged tho old rent; "and,'-' ho added in.conclusion, "I will certainly not break a.ny compact that was made with you.