GROWN LANDS TENURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 213, 14 September 1901, Page 2

GROWN LANDS TENURE.

By Telegraph—Press Association. AVellington, last night.

A deputation of members of the House, introduced by Air Ilogg, waited on the Premier to-night to urge upon the Government the retaining of all Crown lands, and of granting only perpetual leases. Mr ilogg pointed out that an inercas ing number of freeholds were being granted, and urged that the alienation of inc public estate should be cheeked. He asked that in future there should be but one tenure governing the land disposed of by the Crown, the perpetual lease, with periodical revaluation, existing facilities for changing tenures of Crown leaseholds to he withdrawn. It was also pointed out by Mr Ilogg that a considerable portion of the money now expended by the State on public works had enhanced the value of properties afterwards purchased by the Government- for settlement. He did not think it right that the credit- and taxes of the people should be utilised in this way. The Premier said he would prefer that | the capital value of land should remain 1 with the Crown, but did not think it possible to bring in a measure this session. There would also be a difficulty in getting a Bill through the House doaling with re-valuations. He would, however, do as much as possible to prevent Crown Lands being turned into freehold.