LAND SETTLEMENT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 66, 9 November 1931, Page 5

LAND SETTLEMENT

BILL PROVIDING RELIEF FOR CROWN TENANTS PASSED SPECIAL BOARDS PROPOSEDI ("Post" Special Commissioner) The Land Laws Amendment Bill came up for the second reading in the Honse of Repiesentatives this afternoon. In moving the second reading, the Minister of Lands, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, said the Bill was designed to render a greater ineasure of assistance to Crown tenants who, under the existing circumstances and economic difficulties, were in need of greater assistance. Not only did it provide for the postponement and remission of rent and interest, but also it enahled tenures which had been entered into in the last few years to be reconsidered. The Bill proposed to set np special committees to act in conjunction with the land boards and inquire into the tenures of Crown holdings and the conditions of the holders of such tenure. The setting up of the committees was no reflection on the working of the land ' boards. Many members of the land boards, when appointed, had no knowledge that their duties wonld m'ake Such demands on their time. Mr. Ransom expressed the opinioii that the most useful men to serve on these committees would be practical farmers with a knowledge of the conditions in their districts. Other clauses in the Bill were mainly technical. , In the course of the ensuing discussion there was general agreement with proposals. Many members expressed the opinion that more should be done. to encourage land settlement so as to increase the production on which the country depended. The Bill was passed with minor amendments. " The Education Reserves Amendment Bill was also passed.