THE LAND BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2138, 22 July 1907, Page 2

THE LAND BILL.

DISCUSSED BA’ GISBOBNE FABMEUS’ UNION.

APPROVED Ay ITT! MINOR EXCEPTIONS.

“Generally speaking, I think wo ] can eongratuituo tho Government, remarked Mr. W. D. Lysnar, chairman of tho Gisborno branch ol tlio Farmers’ Union, when discussing the land proposals on Saturday. lho amendments now put forward, ho remarked, were a very great improvement in tho original proposals, lho right was given to lessees to acquit o the freehold, upon tho present valuation; the lease in perpetuity was abolished and a 66 years lease substituted with the right of valuation, at the ond oi each period on the basis oi loui per cent, and further, the tenant could get the freehold at any time on paving tho present-day valuation. The area of third-class land which one person could hold was increased from 2000 and 3000 acres. In regard, to land ballots tho Government proposed that tho landless applicants should have tho preference over those who held land, and this, appeared to bo a : wise step. Bospoctmg land lor settlement the Government proposed in lieu of the present lease, a 33 years lease with porpotual right ol renewal on tho basis of 5 per cent, tho new rental to be assessed as m tlio case of tho 66 years’ lease. It was pioposed to alter tho order of payment for lands compulsorily resumed lor any purpose. The method suggested was to take the Crown assessment, adding 2) per cent for property valued at over £50,000, adding 5 per cent between £25,000 and £50,000, and 10 per cent for property valued under £26 000. Tho Chairman did not consider this an equitable arrangement, as the Crown assessment was made lor taxation purposes only, without taking into account the value for selling purposes. The only remedy offered was a, review by thq Assessment Court, but the Farmers’ Union as a body disapproved of the constitution of this Court, which had given great dissatisfaction in tho past. Yet the Government proposed to make binding the decision of that Court, on an assessment made not for the purposes of sale but of taxation. AVliy should there bo any attempt made to alter the existing method of arriving a.t a fair value by a properly-constitut-ed Court ? The Government also proposed to set aside 9,000,000 acres as a national endowment for charitable aid and educational purposes. This seemed to him a very good provision indeed. (Applause.) . But there was this to bo considered, it was tying up nine million acres from freehold settlement. They did not object, to this, considering the beneficent object ill view, but they did ask that when tlio Native Land Bill was introduced there should be facilities for acquiring tho freehold of Native lands. If the Native land woro tied up, in addition to the national endowment, there would be very little virgin country loft for those wlio wanted the freehold. Tho Chairman mentioned that a committee mooting of the Gisborne branch had been held that morning and approved of certain resolutions. Ho moved tho adoption of the resolutions, as follows: “That tho Gisborne branch of the Farmers’ Union desires to *congratulato the Government upon tho suggested amendments in its land administration, in tho main, but desires to point out, (a) That instead of balloting, the question of submitting tho land at auction, limited to the applicants, if more than ' one applying, should be favorably considered by the Government. (b) That it is quite unfair to take any land compulsorily upon the assessment shewn on the valuation-roll, with the slight suggested increase; tho assessment being made by the Government’s own officers, for taxation purposes only, and subject only , to review by an Assessment Court, which is unsatisfactorily constituted, there is no justification or reason for i an owner objecting to a valuation if made too low; the present mode of . assessment of values for lands taken

compulsorily should he maintained. (c) Considering the objects aimed at, the endowment proposals are satisfactory, hut, in consequence of such a large area of virgin Crown lands being withdrawn from option of purchase, the Government should see that in the suggested Native land legislation, the option to acquire the freehold of the remaining Native lands should be facilitated. (d) We express no opinion on the gratiiiated land tax proposals, as it is imj)Ossible to obtain an intelligent view of the position from the Press reports so far to hand. Mr. Holden seconded. General discussion followed. The opinion was expressed that balloting was the fairest method for the poor, but that there should be greater restrictions to ensure the bona-fides of applicants. To submit the lease or freehold to auction, it was considered, woidd be playing directly into the bands of the moneyed men, who could afford to pay more than tile struggling man. Messrs. Field, Dynon, Langsford and Gallagher succeeded in getting .the clause relating to ballot eliminated. With this exception the resolutions proposed by the Chairman were unanimously adopted. It was decided to submit copies to the Premier, the Minister of Lands, Mr. Carroll and the Leader of the Opposition. A HOSTILE MOTION. Press Association. DUNEDIN, Saturday. The Otago Trades and Labor Counpassed the following resolution: “That this Council enters a emphatic protest against the action of the Government in receding from the position taken up last session in reference to the land question, more especially in connection with the further sale of Crown lands and granting to Crown tenants the right to acquire the freehold, as the Council is of opinion that all unsold Crown lands should be reserved for endowment purposes. The Council considers- the position taken up by tho Government on this question is such that it lias forfeited all claim to support from the workers, and in the evont of tho Bill passing into law with the provision referred to it urges the labor party of New Zealand to seriously consider tho advisability of withdrawing its support from the present administration.

All unfortunate misprint occurred m our copy of the main Land Bill of the Government published on Saturday morning. The section in question should have read :—The tenant in the case of a renewable lease or a lease-in-porputuity can pay up to 90 per cent, of the capital value of the land comprised in his lease, when the rent will be proportionately reduced. When 50 per cent, has been paid the tenant holds the land free of conditions other than rent, residence and liability for commission of wasto. Any amount paid over 50 per cent, will be refunded on application.