THE LAND BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2211, 15 October 1907, Page 3

THE LAND BILL.

PROGRESS THROUGH COM MITTEE.

Press Association,

WELLINGTON, Oct. 14. On resuming at 7.30 the House wont into committee on the Land Laws Amendment Bill.

Clause 39 provides that with tho consent of tho Minister tho Land Board may permit a holder of any pasturage lease or license under Part 6 of tho principal Act to cultivate a portion or portions of his run for tho purpose, of growing winter feed for tlio stock depasturing thereon, and also to plough and lay down in grass or clear, burn and sow in grass or surface sow in grass an additional area not exceeding 3000 acres, such additional area to be specially valued in tho samo manner as is provided by section 207 of the principal Act at tho termination of tlio lease or license, and tho valuo of such improvements as determined by valuation to bo paid over by tho incoming lesseo to the out-going lessee ns is therein provided, notwithstanding that tho limit of compensation presented by that section may be thereby exceeded. Sir W. J. Steward moved to strike out the words “not exceeding 3000,” but subsequently withdrew the amendment. Mr. Flatman then moved to insert after “not exceeding” “except in the case of clearing, burning, sowing in grass or surface sowing in grass.” He contended that ploughing in these cases had proved a failure. It destroyed the tussock and made it necessary to plough every three years. Air. Alassey urged that runholders should not bo limited for this purpose to 3000 acres, as tliey_could not frame a clause to meet all parts of the colony Ho added that in the North Island it was absolutely necessary to plough before sowing for grass. ' Air. Rutherford urged that great good would be done by grassing the back country. He added that for these runs what was required was reasonable security of tenure with periodical valuation of improvements. He contended, however, that so far as ploughing was concerned tho less this was resorted to the better, as experience had proved that the grass died down in three years and left the ground in a worse condition than before ploughing. Air T. Mackenzie said great benefit would be derived from grassing tho back country. Subsequently, with the permission of the Committee, Air. Flat-man altered his amendment so as to limit -the .area which a lessee may plough and sow in .grass to 3000 acres, and to remove restriction of area in regard to clearing, burning, and sowing in grass and surface sowing in grass. The amendment was agreed to on the voices. ■Air. AteXab moved to strike out the words “notwithstanding that the limit of compensation present by that section may be thereby exceeded,” and the following words to be substituted: “In addition to the value of improvements proved for by that section.”

This was agreed to on tho voices. Sir AY. J. Steward moved a number of amendments, which, however, Air. AlcXab stated were provided for under the Bill, and tho amendments were rejected on the voices.

Clause 39 with amendments was then passed.

Clause 40, relating to depasturing of stock on Crown lands, avas passed by 64 votes to 14. At clause 40A, sub-section 13 (tlio Board may with the approval of -the Minister lease by .auction for growing, cutting, or removing flax any area -not exceeding 2000 acres for a term not exceeding 14 years at such upset yearly rental as may ho determined by the Board), Air. Herries said he understood .that no royalties could be paid to local bodies. He hoped the Alinister would consider the question of amending the Act so as to give local bodies a portion of the revenue, .as if the clause was a success in .regard to the Piako Swamp there was no doubt that a large sum of money would have to he spent on roads. Air. AlcNab sa.id lie had considered the question. He, however, thought it would be as well to await tho result of the experiment, and until it could be seen what was required -as to the Piako Swamp he thought expenditure on roads should be -reduced to a minimum, and that carriage would be by train or river. He had seen launches 30 miles up the Piako River, which were going direct to Auckland, and had also seen vessels loading miles up .the river which were fit to go to Australia.

'Mr. Massey objected to sub-clause 2, giving tho Board the fixing of the rental for >a second term. Ho thought it should be fixed bv valuation. Subclause 3, he added, made tho Bill apply to land required under tho Land for Settlements Act, but he objected to the Crown purchasing land for flax-growing. Mr. McNab said that until they had disposed of a vast quantity of stagnant avater in the Piako swamp they would not dispose of any temporary rights in the swamp. Mr. Poland moved an amendment to sub-clause 1 of clause 40a, to provide for leases for flax-growing, cutting, etc., being for a term of 21 years. The amendment was rejected by 46 to 20.

Mr. Massey said he thought the rent slioud bo fixed by arbitration in case of an old tenant renewing his lease and by auction in tho case of a new . tenant. He moved that the rent be fixed by arbitration. The amendment was negatived by 48 to 18, and clause 40a was then passed.