The Land Commission.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 223, 25 August 1905, Page 2

The Land Commission.

THE RESULT.

SPECIAL TO THE SETTLER. (By Telegraph.) Wellington, Thursday, 1.10 p.m.

As the outcome of the Land Commission enquiry, the Premier has tabled an elaborate motion preliminary to the amendment of the land laws. He proposes to abolish the L.I.P. system as regards the future and re-place it with leases of not leas than fifty years or more than ninety-nine, with right of renewal on valuation, failing which the tenant is to have full valuation fbr improvements. The present system of O.R.P. and purchase for cash are to be retained. In future all Crown lauds are to be thrown open under the option of ten ures, irrespective of whether tbe land contains minerals or not, but the State retains all mineral rights. All State lessees are to be permitted, after occupancy, to pay off portions of capital value in half-yearly instalments of ten pounds or any multiple thereof. Crown lands, with a land value of less than £1 per acre, are to ba dealt with under the homestead system. With regard to Native land, it is to be classified the samr as Crown land. The “ Land for Settlement Act ” is to be applied to surplus land held by natives, whilst their own land is to be leased under the new fifty years system. The present system of nominated Land Boards is to be adhered to, but each land district is to be divided into ridings and a settler residing therein to be appointed a member of the Board, and that one Crown tenant be on each Land Board. Residence is to be continuous for six years under any tenure, including land sold for cash, but no residential condition is to be enforced until reasonable road access has been provided. The present ballot system is to be continued. The House is left to determine whether the present L.I.P. settlers are to have the right to acquire the freehold at the present market value or at the value upon which they originally selected, with the addition of one per cent with compound interest, or whether they may change the tenure to O.R.P. Another question the House is to dec ids is whether Land for Settlement selectors are co be allowed to acquire tbe freehold, and if so upon what basis.