MAORI LEASES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1525, 22 August 1912, Page 5

MAORI LEASES.

0 OHUTU SETTLERS' TROUBLES. "\YOEST POEM OP LANDLORDISM." A request for, an improved tenuremeaning the freehold—was made of tho Minister for Labour, the Hon. "W. P. Massey, by a deputation representing settlers in the Ohutu Block, in the Wanganui district, yesterday morning. Tho deputation was introduced by Mr. E. Nownmn, M.P., and supported by Mr. G. V.Pe.irce, M.P.;and Mr. D. H. Guthrie,, M.P. An apology was received from Mr. C. K. Wilson, jr.P. Mr. Newman said the deputation represented the Ohutu leaseholders. A petition from them had been before tho House in 1911, in which tho settlers had asked for the freehold, and the committee had reported unanimously in favour of tlio petition. Their tenure was unEatisfuctory for many reasons. It was a lease for 21 years with right of renoival,. compensation for improvement being allowed, but there was doubt as to whether the improvements vested in the land, and were liable to be made .a charge upon the land. They now desired to get llio right of purchase at present values from tho Native owners, on whoso account the land was held by tho Aotea Native Land Board. Mr. Ewen Campbell said ho. was not actually a lessee, but two of his sons were s'etlled on tho block. What the. settlers desired was tho freehold, and it must be a question for the Government whether this could be given by Act c-f Parliament or by tho Government purchasing the block, and reselling it to the settlers. He would propose that tho land lie bought from tho Maoris at present value, less tho interest of tho lessees for improvements. Mr. 0. L. Duigan said that the question applied not only to this block, but to all other blocks tinder tho jurisdiction of Maori Land Boards. After tho first period of twenty-cme years, durin" which the settler could not do more than bring his land under proper productivity, they ran tho risk of being rack rolled on revaluation. If the improvements w.ero made a charge against : tho land, it would make it possible for I settlors to finance, and it would allay ; a great deal of tho unrest among settlers on the block. The question of whether the Natives were willing to sell had not been nut before tho assembled owners. Tho lessees admitted that they could not expect to have their request granted if tho owner* did not agree to sell, but they were of opinion that the sale of the lnntl would be of benefit to tho Natives, the settlers, and the State. Mr. C. Tj. Fembcrlon drew attention to (ho inequitable system of valuation of improvements. It was especially unfair for settlors to bo under the cmisation to make their own roads, and for tho roads not to be counted as improvements. Mr. G. V. Penrco supported what the other speakers had said. It was the worst form of landlordism possible, ho .'aid. The settlers tiocl to make rcwls Ihemc»|vfS and thon pav vent nn them. The Miniver said he had listened to tho deputation's statement of the enso with a very great deal of interest. His sympathies wore with the settlers in tlio unfortunate position in which thoy found themselves. According to the present law expenditure on roading did not count at tho end of the lease ni improvements for tho purpose of assessing compensation. Ho hftd boon contcmplalin? an amendment of the law which might put this matter ricrht. But the policy of the Government, and, a= hod been recently shown, of the present Parliament was to give tho option of the freehold wherever it was ]Ki>?il)le to givo it. If those lands wi'i-i> held- in trust by tho Maori Land liumcl, lor a special piirpo-e. ii would perhaps not bf- pontile to i-nnble tin- setlli'is in :ioi|iiiio Ihe freehold, but he would have all iiiqiiii'ii'-s made on this point, ami on the question nt' whether (he improvements vc.-ti'd in tho land. 'IV lessees, inulrl rely upon the Government givtnir Ib'pi "11 p"P--iW" 9.Mtpijim:« Iti iliKfucriji2 some way-, out o£ thcit difficulty..