SMALL GRAZING RUNS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2414, 1 February 1909, Page 3

SMALL GRAZING RUNS.

JUSTICE TO LESSEES.

LEASES TO BE EENEAVED

The long-standing question as to whether the Government could terminate tlie leases of small grazing runs at the end of 21 years was satisfactorily settled on Saturday, when Sir Joseph Ward, in his capacity as .Minister for Lands, met the small grazing runholders of the district in tlie Borough " - Council Chambers. There were present among others Messrs. Howard Konway, J. A. Caesar, Bruce, and G. J. Black, while Messrs. C. A. de Lautour and J. It. Kirk were present as counsel. After Sir Joseph had opened the proceedings lie said that he did not know if any of the gentlemen present desired to make any statement, lie noticed that there were lawyers ji resent, but as he had carefully considered tlie question and was prepared to announce the intentions of the Government, lie would suggest that those present should wait to hear what he had to'say, and if they wished to place any issues before him to speak afterwards.. Mr. de Lautour said that he did not wish to take up any time, but nmi-My to say that when runs were taken' up the lessees.considered they bad a light to a renewal of the lease, and hold that view until quits recently. There were, perhaps, differences in the merits of some cases, rv-pociallv those of Messrs. Black and Bruce, for Mr. Bruce had two grownup sons whom he desired to see settled on the land. ‘ However, he was prepared to leave tlib position in Sir Joseph's hands. . Tim Prime Minister said that lie ibought it would be as well for those present to hear what lie had to say, and by wav of clearing the ground, lie thought it was a pity, when large interests were at stake, that the mdivkhials -concerned introduced party politics into the question. That was not done , generally, but it had been done bv one man in a way to be deprecated. If the Government favored "olitica.l leanings and dealt with the people concerned accordingly it would be an undesirable condition of affairs. One gentleman had even carried his troubles to tbe South Island and had tried to influence an election there. That was to be regretted, for lie had a supreme cento unit for such polities and for any government that only considered persons on account of their political views. There was no doubt the Land Board had made a mistake when the advice was sent to the late Alunster for Lands. He would not suggest that the mistake was intentional, and ho regretted it had occurred. He bad now come to Gisborne to try and settle the question. Holders of runs 42. 46. and 60 bad been advised that new leases would be granted, and as regards runs 43, 44, and 45 he had considered tlie representations made to the Government, and looking back over the whole of the ground, the Government had decided that* the holders were entitled to a renewal of their leases. Alessrs. Black, Bruce, and Caesar would, therefore, be granted renewals at a rental based at 21 per cent on the present capital valuation of the land. That, he thought, was a fair and adequate rent'for'tlie land, and was no more than the amount that would be received if tlie lands were subdivided, ft was fair to tlie Government and Tie lessees. The Land Board was anxious to provide land for closer settlement, but did not want to deal with, individuals in an unfair manner. The cases of Alessrs. J. C. Field and C. J. "White would receive special consideration, but he was not yet ready to make any announcement. He hoped.’ however that all would bo satisfied. (Applause.) Air. Kirk thanked Sir Joseph for the generous way lie had dealt with ihe problem. A past Government h ul issued a land guide that was not law, and lessees, in taking un the. runs, had been deceived. If they bad no legal right to a renewal they had a moral right, and he was pleased the Prime Minister had come to Gisborne and removed the misunderstanding of the past. Air. de Lautour asked if the rental would lie levied on the unimproved value and the Prime Minister replied that that- was fixed by law. Air. de Lautour then thanked Sir Joseph on behalf of the run-holders tor liis decision, and announced that bis clients were more than satisfied. The deputation then withdrew.