BALLOT OR AUCTION?

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 869, 15 July 1910, Page 5

BALLOT OR AUCTION?

A CROWN LANDS PROBLEM. TO CHECK SPECULATION. . This .Ballot system of disposing of Crown lands was again under, discussion at the New Zealand Farmers' Union Conference yesterday. It was pretty generally agreed that abuses 'occurred - under the present system, but there were marked differences of opinion as to tho best alternative. The committee appointed at a previous sitting presented the following draft resolution That" the disposal of Crown lands, as at present, by ballot has undoubtedly encouraged gambling in land, and this conference considers there is - urgent necessity to repress this in the interests of settlement. In the Land Bill which is to be brought down, an attempt should bo. made to stop this gambling,, and consideration should be given to the various systems suggested, viz.: (1) Sale by auction or tender, payment to bo made on the deferred payment system; (2) Prohibition to any successful applicant from again balloting for land; or (3)/by some other effective conditions, so that some process may be embodied in tho Bill whereby only bona, iido settlers aro able to secure Crown lands. Mr. J. Talbot (Timaru), speaking as a member of the committee, said he wished to dissociate himself from any 'suggestion that sale by auction or by tender should be tried. He thought the resolution should only point out that abuses-had taken place. Mr. 11. Lane (Hawke's Bay) made a similar protest. Major Lusk (Auckland) did not agreo entirely with the report, but as a member of the committee he thought it his duty to bo loyal to it. ... ' Mr. J. Lane (Hawke's Bay) favoured salo by auction. ' ' Tho president (Mr. J. G. Wilson) said the committee had not expressed itself in favour- of any of Ihe schemes suggested, but had only submitted them for consideration. Mr. Sclunitt (Auckland) and Air. W. 0. Birch (Marton) supported t(ie report. Mr. E. Lano asked how would an auction at .which there was no competition have prevented the subsequent increment changing hands. Mr. 'M'Arthur (Otago) opposed the system of auction or tenders. Tho report was adopted.