CROWN LAND FREE.

Grey River Argus, 14 February 1927, Page 6

CROWN LAND FREE.

IMPROVEMENTS ASKED. In order to settle inferior lands disposable by the CroAvn, the Minister ot Lands (the Hou A. D. M’Leod) is iioav about to offer them for nothing. Under the ncAv policy the Government asks for no rent; but it insists on certain improvements in lieu of rent. And these improvements, when completed will enable the holder of the land to become a freeholder, free of cost. In the first place, he Avill be given a license to occupy. This occupation license is for ten years, and is rentless. The conditions of the license set out grades of improvements (two yearly, four yearly, and six yearly). That is to say, the total improvements required arc normally expected to take not more than six years, but they may be done in much shorter time. The provisions, which will be ■embodied in regulations shortly to be issued, represent an attempt to offei inferior land on the easiest possible terms. The next question is: Where can the Government obtain land on terms cheap enough to enable the Government to give it aAvay?

In a conversation this morning with a “Post” reporter, the Minister ol Lands pointed out that there Avere various difficulties in the Avay of offering lands which otherAvise might be suitable to the purpose. He referred to certain National EndoAvment lands and, Native lands. However, a start was being made, notAvithstanding difficulties “With the object of introducing this system of settlement as early as pos sible,” said Mr M’Leod, “steps are now being taken to set apart two blocks, one of gum land in the North Auckland laud district, and one of pumice land in the Auckland land dis trict. “.The gum land is part of the Riverhead block, situated close to Auckland and comprises about ten sections, rang ing in ara from about 110 acres to 128 acres. ‘‘The block of pumice land is situat ed between Atiamuri and Waiotapu and contains about 15,000 acres, subdivided into larger sections, considerable por tions of Avhich comprise undulating land in tussock, fern, and scrub.’’ The new policy is being applied under the provisions of section 223 o’ the Land Act, 1924. TOO DEAR TO GIVE AWAY. With regard to the National Endow ment lands referred to above, Mr M’Leod pointed out that Avhen the matter of applying the provisions ol section 223 Avas taken, a difficulty Avas found in tiie fact that the National Endowment lands had been valued years ago at. a time Avhen ideas of land values differed .from those of-to-day,

and it Avas provided at. that time by law that the National EndoAvment Fund must be recouped to the extent ol the valuation placed on any land that was taken out of the National Endowment. The loAvest valuation was 10s an acre. At that time it Avas considered that if land Avas not worth 10s an acre, it Avas Avorth nothing. “But,” said the Minister, “the Department ot Lands cannot afford to pay 10s an acre for land in order to give it aAvay. ” This Avas not the only quarter in which the obtaining of land, otherAvise disposable as inferior land, was handicapped. There Avas Native land thai might be treated as inferior land ami brought under section 223, but through the price paid for it, or the cost ol acquiring it, its total cost Avas uoaa’ too high. Some purchase negotiations with Native owners had extended over many years, and Avere still incomplete, so that the interest on Avhat had been paid had mounted up, expenses had accumu lated, and, if the Native Land Purchase Account Avere to be fully compensated, the land could, not be taken as inferior land, unless the Consolidated Fund came to the rescue. The Minister mentioned these matters to shoAv that the way was beset with difficulties, some of Avliich might be removable only by legislation.