THE LAND COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 794, 10 April 1905, Page 2

THE LAND COMMISSION.

(Per Tress Association.) TIMAHU. April 8. The Land Commission took evidence nt Timaru to-day. A- Clcland, farming 2000 acres of freehold, belicvod the leaseholders should have tho option of buying the freehold. As freeholders they would be better farmers, though as far as he had seen tho L.I,P, tenants were farming well. Ho believed there was a fear that revaluation would conio as- tho result of the agitation of the Trades and Labour Councils, therefore tenants should have the option of buying. Two other freeholders spoke in favour of giving Uic freehold totally or partially. Two tenants complained of tho cropping conditions In the limitation of green crops. W. S. Maslin, ex-M.H.R., farming about 300 acres, discussed at con- . sidcrablo length the various aspects \of tho land policy. Leasehold, with 1 periodical valuation, would have been . the best if adopted at first, but it I was too late to adopt it now. In . the interest of both community nnd I tenants, the latter .should hnva the right to acquiiv the freehold. Due reason for (hip was tliut there should bp. community of interest amongst agriculturalists to counteract the So--1 cialistic tendencies of the cities. In regard to the occupation of the land, ] nothing np<>d be made of the enhanc--1 ed value of lands, as the- State had given up the claim to this for IMIB years. If it was desired |t> prevent re-aggregnlfon, thai uoutd lie done by requiring vi'"n.si'crs to be lnude subject, to the same conditions as a transfer of lease. The limitation of holdings should be measure! by values, not by areas. The Statu has now a right to put a tax on laud, and no other right would arise from land nationalisation, An cx-schoolmu«ter suggested* that in evsry easa a tenant relinquishing his holding should do so to the Land Hoard, receiving liberal payment for his improvements, the State thus gaining any unearned Increment. Several witnesses condemned tho Advances 'to Settlers Office from their own cxiicricncc of it.