LAND COMMISSION

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1386, 22 February 1905, Page 3

LAND COMMISSION

THE TAKING OP EVIDENCE.

(Her Press Association.) Invercargill, last night. The Land Commission opened its sittings for taking evidence hero to day, all the members save Mr MoCntoheon being present. ' Mr Scandrefet, the Mayor of Invercargill, * was the first witness, and he stated that he had never engaged in farming. In regard to the constitution of the • land boards Southland was perfectly satisfied. If the boards were elected a great number would not vote, and the boards wonld bo elected by the leaseholders, which would not perhaps bo in too interests of the colony. Lease in perpetuity found general acceptance, being practically as good as the freehold. He thought the people should have the right of acquiring freehold. As a land agent he found that the people would not buy leasehold if they could nelp it. Ho favored compulsory residence, and the ballot system. People got excited at an auction and gave double the proper values. Under the ballot system the people could pay their/way. Settlement was successful and the Government deserved great credit for the advances to settlors* scheme, which, had lowered the standard of interest. Loan on leasehold was not to be got on anything like the same terms os on freehold. He did not think the operation of freehold would result in re-aggrogation of estates. Graduated taxation would prevent that. If the majority p£ settlers did not want freehold he could see do reason why the option should be withheld. It might b<i worth consideration that Crown tenants should rfcftm representation on - land boards, but not direct representation. Crown tenants were dissatisfied with lease. He know some anxious to purchase free* -hold, becausevthey could' borrow* money much easier, and get a larger sum to pay for freehold and provide more improvements. The" present maximum area of first-class land, 640 acres, was hardly sufficient, oven allowing for the restricted area the colony afforded. G. R. Hilton, a market gardener, said he had a village homestead. The freehold option should only bo given subject to stringent building regulations. Ho went fco ' the Advances to Settlers Office, but could not get a loan until a building had been put up- He had also gone to other financial institutions, and met with a similar 1 experience;' His improvements were valued at £235. Ultimately -the department agreed to lend him *275$ which he did not think sufficient. He had to go to a private lender and pay a very high rate of interest. Freehold was better cultivated than tenants wore entitled to claim three-fifths of the value of their improvements from the Advances to Settlers Department there would not be the same objection to leasehold. Ho, however, would not say that if the suggested alteration in the law ' W are made leasehold would find as much acceptance as freehold. John McQueen, farmer and manager ot Southland'Frozon Meat Company, Btated that be had 1500. acres, some leasehold. Ho considered the leasehold a splemua system, enabling people wiih small capital to go on the land. There should, however, bo the option to acquire the freehold. It was a mistake to think the Government would bo iuundated with capital if the people were allowed to buy the freehold ; is would be a gcadual process. Optional purebaso settlers, at Knapdall, who bad good land, did well; others were always poor. Some of the land should not have been cultivated till 100 years bonce. J Lf the option of froebold were given Crown tenants, he would expeob only ten per cent, to tuke advantage oi it, because Bottlers would not have money to buy. Tenants should not have representation on Land Boards. Esiates had ■ been voluntary cab up in Southland. The rabb t nuisance had been a moving Taxation had also induced disposal. his opinion ibere was no danger of the aggro cation of large estates m Southland if the right of purohare wai given. Mr Mfclnerney, a farmer, favored loase- : bold as tho principle of settlement, being partial to lease in perpetuity. _ n ,ii ßra * M r Gibsou said the wish of the settlers in his district was that they be graoted the freehold. The improvement conditions had something to do with the desirp. _ The Commission adjourned afc o’clock for luncheon. On resuming, o witnesses ofiering, it was adjourned .11 next day. Sir John Hall was an interested auditor during the afternoon.