TE AROHA LEASES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 6, 2 October 1920, Page 8

TE AROHA LEASES

FREEHOLD V. LEASEHOLD.

In moving yesterday the second reading of the To Aroha Crown Leases Bill, the Minister in charge of the Bill (the Hon. D. H-. Guthrie) explained that To Atolm lmd formerly been a mining centre, but that its importance' as a mining centre to-day was negligible. Tlw place had acquired a name for its mineral waters. Tho Bill • proposed to give the Crown tenants the right to acquire tht» freehold, because at present the restrictions up'on tenure under tho Mining Act were impeding the progressof tho township. The question was simply whether the House would permit tho granting of tho freehold and so enable the residents of Te Aroha to make their township what it ought to ba-one of the most attractive in Now Zealand.

Several members who opposed the Bill argued that the State should not part with what would-one day be a great) tourist resort. They believed that tho Bill would have, the effect of encouragine speculation in Te Aroha lands.

The debate wandered reij far from Te Aroha. Mr, ■ Ly«mar (Gisborne) advocated the settlement of virgin bush lands on the freehold tenure without restriction of area. ,The settlement of this land in (?mall blocka was wasteful and unsatisfactory, he statedj since much capital'was required. "Tlio tenants aro crying for the freehold," efiid the Minister in replying. "They cannot improve their buildings because no financial institution will look at the security thoy have at'tho present time." Tho second reading was carried by 89 votes to 15. The division list was as follows:— .Ayes—And-? rson, Bollard, Burnett, Coates, J. M. Dickson, J. S. Dickson, Field, Forbes, Glenn, Guthrie. A. Hamilton, J. R. Hamilton, Harris, Hawken, Henare. Herrles, Hockly, Hudson, Jennings, Lee, Luke. Lysnar, M'Nicol, Malcolm, Mander, Massey, Masters, Nash, Nosworthy. Parr, Pomare, Potter PoWdrell, Reed. Sir R. H. Rhßdes. Stewart, Sykes, Wilford, Wright. 'Noes.—Atmore. Bertram, Fraser, Holland, Isitt, Kellett, A. K. Newman, Parry, Savage, Sleddon, S. G. Smith, Sullivan, Tlmcker, Veitch, Witty. Pairs.—Bitchener (ayes), M'Combs (noes); Jones, Howard; E. Newman, Hanan.

Tho Bill was put through oommittee without debate, read a third timfc, ond passed.