Injustice to Small Settlers.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 299, 27 April 1894, Page 3

Injustice to Small Settlers.

THE LAND BO VHD MAKES A STAND.

A letter was received from the Un-der-Secretary for Lands iv reference to the conversion of sections in village settlements to leases in perpetuity, stating that the department was advised that clauses 7 and 8 of the 48th section of the Land Act, 1892, only apply to cases which are clearly within the jurisdiction of the Land Board, and not to village sections, the regulation of which over-ride the powers of the Board. The decision of the Supreme Court, in Gormley v. Mclntvre, was quoted to show that the class of land referred to was taken out of the hands of the Board. Mr Pirani did not see ho-v the judgment applied to conversion to leaee in perpetuity at all, as by the Land Act of 1892, passed six years after the regulations, special powers were given to the Board in this matter. Mr Hogg said it was not for the Board to go to any expense to obtain a legal opinion. It was a cruel thing to treat small settlers who had applied for conversion six months ago m the manner uuder notice, especially when holders of large areas of land as grazing runs could get the concession. Mr Hogg asked who was going to ru le — was the Under- Secretary's authority going to he put up before that of the Board ? It was resolved unanimously, on the motion of Mr Hogg, seconded by Mr Pirani, That the Minister of Lands be informed that the Board considers, under section 150 of the Land Act, that, village settlers are entitled to conversion to lease in perpetuity, and that immediate steps be taken to give effect to such decision.— Standard.