LAND COMMISSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1474, 7 June 1905, Page 2

LAND COMMISSION.

(Per'* Press Association.)

I Mangaweka, last night. I Before the Land Commission yesterday Guthrie, a holder of lease-in perpetuity, said he represented the Farmers’ Coofer- ! once recently held at Wanganui, and also the Morton small-farm settlements. He said that those ho represented asked for the freehold and right ’of purchase for Crown tenants. He favored relaxation of the residential classification of land. Mr Marshall, chairman of the Bangitikei Council, urged that looal bodies should be granted larger borrowing powers, and that the Land Board should give local bodies assistance in collecting rates from defaulting settlers. Other evidence favored the freehold.

Te Kuiti, last night. Before the Land Commission the evidence favored the freehold, except tbat of a settler within the boundary of tho Taranaki land district, who said that 15 neighbouring settlers were well satisfied with the lease in perpetuity, but as the surrounding block bad been offered on optional tenure thoy should have tho same privilege.

THE FBEEHOLD FOE EVEB

A LITTLE EXCITEMENT AT FEILDING.

(Per, Press Association.) Feilding, last night. The Land Commission sitting occupied four hours. A largo number of settlers were in attendance. Nino witnesses were

( examined ; two were in favor of lease I hold ; one preferred lease in porpetuit ;ht I against freehold, and the rest all freeholc I G. Wheeler, the first settler on Man I cheater block, considered settlers shoulc I have the choice of freehold and leasehold ot I Land Boards were pieces of machinery :i- ( out of which they could get no satisfac -d I tion. He considered tho tenants in Ire io I land under landlords were bettor off than >f I leaseholders under the Government oi I New Zealand. G. Fergusson, of Ohakune, representing farmers in that district in favor of freeholds, was sorry the Commission did not sit in that locality. At this point the Chairman said it was time to close, when Mr Vile, M.H.8., asked why in face of tho fact that eo much “ time was given in the South Island, the Commission was skipping over the North Island. The Chairman explained that circumstances had arisen which mada it necessary for the Commission to get back as soon as possible. Mr Vile stated his intention of wiring to Mr Seddon for an explanation. At the conclusion of the meeting it was found that 53 farmers were willing to give evidence in favor of freehold. There were loud ories of “ Freehold for Ever I” and for some minutes there was quite an uproar. i A number of witnesses journeyed to i Palmerston to endeavor to give evidence 1 there. i Palmerston North, last night. t The Land Commission sat here this t afternoon, and to-night heard a number of t witnesses, principally in favor of the free* u nold. fi