GOVERNMENT LAND PROPOSALS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8840, 17 June 1907, Page 2

GOVERNMENT LAND PROPOSALS.

Per Press Ass ociation. Wellington, June 13. In his speech at Stratford the Minister of Lauds announced that the Government intended to effect limitation of estates by putting on a heavy graduated tax. Apropos of this tho Post states that it is authorised by the Minister to say that it has been definitely decided by the Government that a Limitation Proposals Bill will be introduced ou a taxation basis, aud that a measure on these lines has been drafted aud is now ready for presentation to Parliament. These proposals will really be made part of a Taxation Bill, which will be submitted separately to tho House. Endowment proposals will also be submitted separately, aud tho net result will therefor© be that any person who • desires to take up a section of laud will, outside of endowment, bo still in a position to take up either freehold or leasehold. Tho small landholders have been quietly .pressing for limitation proposals more drastic thsRT those outlined in the ' Bill presented to Parliament last year. So. far as the .Minister can see the only direction in which trouble is uow likely to arise is the substitution of the 66 years for tho 999 years’ ;lease. In this connection ho does not anticipate the Government will have any very groat difficulties to contend with in fighting the demand for the freehold, but if any system of freehold; is conceded it Will have to be along lines of a modification of last year’s measure. -The Land Bill will he amongst the very first business of tho ses'sion, aud it will be introduced in the shape of three concrete measures, providing for—(a) limitation by way of graduated fax, (b) State endowments of laud, aud (a) the Bill proper dealing with the 69 years’ lease and the loase-iu-per-petuity to tenants, and amendments of minor importance ”to existing legislation.