LAND COMMISSI0N.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1460, 22 May 1905, Page 2

LAND COMMISSION.

A LITTER STIR ABOUT FREEHOLD AND MORTGAGES.

.(Pec Press ’Association.) WhaDgarei, Saturday. At fche Land Commission the evidence Of practically all the witnesses favored the freehold. Many lease in perpetuity tenants at Mangakahia complained that there were lands loaded with 4s an acre for roading and little money was spent. They desired the freehold. They mostly favored elective land boards, and the homestead

Bystom with improvement clauses, in place of residential.

Mr Crane, auctioneer, referred to ten thousand acres of forest reserve, from which the timber was removed, but it was not a valuable settlement, and was growing weeds. A share of gum and timber royalties ought to be given to counties for roading, Mr Wakelin, president of the Farmers’ Union, spoke strongly for the freehold. The Advances to Settlors’ Act worked satisfactorily. , Other lands in perpetuity settlers felt the insecurity of tenure ; they oould not trust the Land Board. Tho Mangatapßre Farmers’ Union petitioned that no further private estates bo bought until all unoccu- I pied native and Crown lands were thrown I open for settlement.

Mr Rhyrs, an ex-settler, who had been attracted to tbe colony on account of the 'liberal land laws, had boon struck with the amount of noxious weeds on arrival injthe distriot. Five years ago he took up a Government section, but hod since sold it. Ho still held ten acres of freehold, although a believer in land nationalisation. He characterised all land agents as sharks, and considered that not ten per cent of the freeholders owned their land, on aocount I of the mortgages. A demonstration followed and some members desired the witness to stop, but I Mr Paul appealed, and the evidence was I continued briefly. I

The Commission rose at 5.30. They stay over Sunday at Whangarei, and proceed to Wttiroa overland on Monday. Great interest was taken in the proceedings here.