LAND COMMISSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1479, 13 June 1905, Page 4

LAND COMMISSION.

'(Per Press Association.) Auckland, last night. The Land Commission sat at Auckland to-day. Mr McKenzie, Commissioner of Crown Lands, expressed a general opinion that the constitution of land bonrds was good, but the number of members could be improved with advantage in largo districts like Auckland. A nominated board would most likely administer land laws consistently with the policy of any Government of the day. On eleotive boards, Crown tenants should elect 25 per cent, of the members. He favored consolidating systems of tenure, if possible, under the optional system, Part 2 of the Land Act, 1892, rather than introduce new forms of tenure. One plan suggested, that the conditions ehould cover all details of revenue, had caused more unrest to Crown tenants than anything else. . If the conference secured this point, and the tenures were stripped of some.of their present encumbrances, he believed the uneasiness would disappear. A perpetual lease should he granted only where materials were absent. The re-introduction of the homestead system within certain limits with larger areas would help to settle the poorer lands.