THE LAND QUESTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1541, 24 August 1905, Page 2

THE LAND QUESTION.

PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY GOVERNMENT. '(Per Press Association.J Wellington, last night. The House met at 2.80. Mr Seddon gave notice to move that the Hottse resolve itself into a committee of the-whole to deal with the reports of the Land Commission, and to consider and determine the following matters connected therewith, so that a Bill may be introduced this session :.•*■ 1 4 ; (1.) That tho present law permitting a lease in perpetuity be repealed, and that in respeot to the leasing of lands in future there *be substituted in■' respect to rural lands a lease for not less than 50 or more than 99 years, with the right of renewal from time to time on revaluation, for not less than 21 years or more than 60 years, or failing which tenants to have full com-* pensation for improvements, (2.) That in respect to lessees who now ocoupy under lease in perpetuity, and who have acquired laud under the Laud Act of 1892, whether they are to have the right to acquire tho freehold of their sections at the present market value ? (3.) That in respeot to lessees under lease in perpetuity under the Laud Aot, 1892, whether they are to have tho right to acquire the freehold of their sections at tho capital value upon whioh they originally selected ? Or may the lessee change the tenure to occupation with right of purchase ? (4.) Shall lessees under leaso in perpetuity under the Land for Settlement-Aot be allowed to acquire tho freehold of their sections, and if so, shall it be at the present market value, or at the original, value ? (5.) That should the right to acquire the freehold bo granted undor lease in perpetuity tho areas held shall remain as at

present, and that no alteration of boundaries be permitted unless for cutting np into Smaller areas except by Aot of Parliament. .i * -

(6.) It shall.be unlawful for any person or company owning urban or suburban lands to the unimproved value of £SOOO to purchase and acquire the fee simple of any more lands.

The resolution, which is a lengthy one, also deals with several other matters connected with the land system of the colony. " Mr. Seddon said it was proposed to start the debate on the motion on Tuesday. The remainder of the afternoon was occupied in the discussing of Ministerial replies to questions.

EVENING:; SITTING. '([Per. Press Association.) Wellington, last night. The House resumed at 7.30. The Mining. Acts Amendment Bill, Animals Protection Bill, and Trades Monopolies Prevention Bill were read a seoond time pro forma. The Electoral Bill was considered in Committee, Blow progress being made with the measure up to midnight.