KAWHIA LAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 360, 10 March 1902, Page 2

KAWHIA LAND.

THE CRY FOR FREEHOLDS.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland, Saturday.

The Premier has wired the Chamber of Commerce that the Government is assured that there are more than sufficient applications for the Kawhia lauds under the lease-in-perpetuity. There is no violation of the law or Land Act in the course pursued, and he cannot reopen tho matter. The Chairman of the Chamber wired back still urging reconsideration of the matter.

Auckland, last night. Yesterday morning, Mr Upton replied to the Premier’s telegram re the Kavvhia lauds, that as the Chamber of Commerce submits that a delay of thirty day’s is of no moment compared with depriving intending settlers of the options provided in the Land Act, applicants under the lease-in-perpetuity system have no greater right to preference than those applying under other lawful systems. The Chamber, no less than the Government, desires to preserve the rights of the poor, and makes these representations to you because of the fact that poor men as well as rich desire to secure an eventual freehold of their own, made so easy under the system of occupation with right of purchase. Compulsory perpetuity is a great wrong done to poor and rich alike. We submit that your mention of special settlement is irrelevant, it not being intended so to use these present lands. We extremely regret the decision of the Government, but trust that the matter may yet be reconsidered.