RETAINING CROWN LANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 213, 14 September 1901, Page 2

RETAINING CROWN LANDS.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Wellington, Saptember 13. A deputation of members of tho House, introduced by Mr. Hogg, waited on the Premier to-night to urge the Government the retaining of all Grown land?, and of granting only perpetual leases. Mr. Hogg pointed out that an increasing number of freeholds was being granted, and urged that the alienatiou of public estates should be checkel. He asked that in future there should be but one tenure governing land disposed of by the Crown—perpetual lease, with a periodical revaluation, the existing facilities for changing the tenures of Crown leaseholds to be withdrawn. It was also poinded out by Mr. Hogg that a considerable portion of the money now expended by the State on public works hid enhanced the value of properties afterwards purchased by the Government for settlement.

The Premier said be would prefer that the capi'al value of land should remain with the Grown, but did not think it possible to bring in a measure this sess : on. There would also bft difficulty in getting a Bill through the House deiling with revaluing. He would, however, do as much as pos sible to prevent Grown lands being turned into freeholds.