CROWN TENANTS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 63, 5 November 1931, Page 3

CROWN TENANTS

("Post" Speeial Commissioner)

' RELIEF MEASURES COMPREHENSIVE PROVISION TO MEET PRESENT FJNANCIAL DIFFICULTIES SPECIAL LEGISLATION

WELLINGTON, Wed. Legislation designed to accelerate the consideration of applications for relief by Crown tenants was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day. The Lands Amendment Bill empowers the Minister of Lands to appoint advisory co-mmittees con: sisting of the Crown Lands Commissioner for each district and two other persons to inquire into applicatipns by Crown tenants for relief hy remissions on postponements of rent or interest. The committee will inquire into the financial position of the applicant and report its recommendations to the Land Board. Temporary provision is made for an pxtension of small grazing run leas- ' es with a view to affording relief and also for postponing renewals until such time as values become established. Power is given to extend for any period up to five years the term of such small grazing run licenses as are due to expire not later than March 1, 1934. Having regard to the difficulties still being experienced hy O.R.P. licensees in purchasing the fee simple of their holdings owing to the depression, the Bill authorises extensions for any period up to seven years of such licenses as are due to expire not later than December 31, 1933. At present the minimum deposit payable by an owner of a lease in perpetuity on the acquisition of the fee s'mple on deferred payments is three per cent. of the purchase price, but to meet the difficulties caused by the general financial position, the Bill provides for the eompletion of cpnversion on the payment of such smaller deposit vas the land board may consider reasonable in the circumstances. Provision is contained also for making advances in respect of improvements already effected. It is held that there is no power for the Lands Development Board to permit retrospec.tive applications for advances for improvements effected prior to the date on which the advance was authorised, but cases occur where it is considered that advances should be made respecting improvements effected in anticipation of authority and a clause in the Bill supplies the power necessary. Important amendments are made to the original provisions affecting the revaluation of rural Crown or settlement lands held under license pending eompletion of purchase on deferred payments. Certain difficulties have been encountered in the wording of the existing maehinery and in order to avoid anomalies the following alternatives are proposed. Where 7a reduction in price is found to be warranted, the license is to he surrendered and a new one granted for 34 1 years. The price under the new license is to be the reduced value of the land as dctermined on revaluation, provided the reduced value is less than the amount of unpaid purchase money outstanding at the date of revaluation. The Minister, on the recommendation of land boards, is empowered to grant relief in cases of hardship to soldiers of renewed leases on licenses of Crown lands, seiilement lands, or education reserves, in existence at the time of passage of the Bill and granted not earlier than January 1, 1927, where the holders can prove hardship owing to the existing financial stringency. Such portion of the rent as exceeds the rent reserved by the original lease or license may he remitted for any pdriod not exceeding five years. An amendment to the Education Reserves Act on lines similar to the foregoing Bill was also introduced. This provides that in the case of early expiration of leases of education and university reserves, facilities will be given for the postponement of renewals and the consequent fixing of rents on the present low values where such a eourse can he avoided. Leases due to expire not later than December 31, 1934 may he extended for any period up to five years. Encumbrances existing at the date of an expired lease are to he brought down and registered on the renewed lease in the same manner as such encumbra'nces can be brought down on renewal leases granted under the Land Act, 1924. Provision is contained also for affording relief by way of rent remissions to tenants of education reserves .in occupation under land act tenure.