LAND BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1483, 17 June 1905, Page 2

LAND BOARD.

ADVANCES TO SETTLERS , DEPARTMENT.

(Pen Press Association.)

Wellington, last night. Giving ovideneo before tho Land Commission to-day, Mr J. G. Wilson, of Bulls, President of the Farmers’ Union, said that without the security of the freehold a man would not put forth his greatest efforts at production. That of course diet not apply to the lease in perpetuity, but what caused unrest was the demand for Re-valuation and Fair Rent Bills to be brought before Parliament. He had not objection to the leasehold, but the farmers should have the option of purchase. - P. J. O’Regan, a former member of Parliament, said ho objected to the land for settlement policy altogether. There should be a graduated laud tax, which would make tho owners of large estates do their own subdivision. He did not care what system of tenure was adopted so long as it conserved to every citizen his public rights. Peter Heyes, Superintendent of the Government Advances to Settlers Department, said there was no delay in making advances, though there might be in making valuations, but in the latter oases the settlers generally were ,to blame. For twelve or eighteen months loans had been restricted owing to the ’tightness of the money 'market, but ’ the Cabinet had directed that applications for sums up to £SOO should reoeive preference. At one time the amount to be lent in any one year was limited, but it was not so now. The policy of the Department was to help settlers to the limit of its ability. The Lendiog Board was not subject to Ministerial influence.