Land Commission Report

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7874, 17 July 1905, Page 2

Land Commission Report

A COMPRKHKNSIVK DOCUijIKNT,

The report, of the Land Commission is of necessity i wry lengthy dcvumeiit, and it is only possible, in the limited space available In our columns, lo give a summary. The Commissioners have talien evidence from every land district, in the I colony, except West land, having l-rav-jelled over 7000 miles, held MiilnvjiI iugs, heard, about 1000 witnesses ami I inspected numerous settlements.

—Constitution of Land Boards.— The present, constitution was approved by the majority of the witnesses, who also expressed satisfaction with the impartial administration of the Hoards, and tin" Commission recommends a continuance c.i the present system, but thai in tile larger districts the- number of members lie increased lo six, and the remuneration of members who now receive Ids a day and travelling expenses i,.- substantially augmented. Also that each land district 'be divided into ridings represented by a resident im-m-ber, at least one .member of each Board being a Crown tenant. —Cropping- Regulations.—

The present regulations were found, except on a few points, just and equitable. The Commission suggest the abolition of certain restrictions, and that no limit should -be placed on the,. number of green crops, the Boards to have a discretionary power conferred on them of relaxing cropping conditions if necessary. Also that in future all lauds opened for' settlement be carefully classified as 1o cropping capabilities, and regulations framed acoonliirgly, all re-strictions-to .be removed after a tenant has resided on his land for ten years, and fulfilled his conditions, and has improvements free from encumhcranccs to the value of onethird of the capital value of the land,

with a minimum of £2 per acre. Power to Boards to impose fines in lieu of forfeiture. Facilities for subdividing transfers and mortgages the same as in freeholds. Full power to devise by will without reference to Land Board's approval of devisee. Abolition of the restriction on borrowing during first, year of occupancy. —Residence. The Commissioners consider there is no 'necessity to extend the present power of the Boards, which has been wisely used in relaxing the conditions laid down,, hut there is no reason for the present difference in the terms of continuous residence which it is recommended should be six years under any tenure in future, no exemption to exceed four vears—residence not to he enforced until reasonable road access is provided, but then to be strictly enforced except- in special cases. In case of a tenant with two holdings, residence on one to count for both.

—Homestead Privileges.— The Commissioners do not recommend the rc-iu'troducfion of this system, as putt in;: poor men on poor land is courting disaster. —The iialJot System.— The present system is disapproved of, and it is recommended tlrat sections be grouped in accordance with the means required for successful occupation, applicants to apply only in the groups for which their means entitle them. That a ballot be taken for the first choice of any section iit a group, and continued until all the sections are -disposed of, any applicant heing at liberty to withdraw during the ballot. Unallotted sections to be re-ofTered at an early date. All applicants to be examinui as to their suitability and bona fides. The limitation of 320 acres for married or single women to be withdrawn. The means of husband and wife to he counted one. Any person disposing of his interest in any section to be ineligible for any other ballot for at least three years, except on good cause shown. —Unsuccessful Applicants.— While recognising that a certain class of applicants who have been repeatedly, unsuccessful at the ballot have some claim for preference, the Commissioners are unable to recommend any regulations for the purpose that would be equitable to, other applicants. They consider that Land Boards should have the power to allot residents of long standing- on estates acquired under the Land for Settlement Act such areas as they deem fit without competition, but(lie area in no case to exceed lull that allowed under the Act of 18U2, and that holder. l ; of small areas under the Land for Settlement Act) he allowed to ballot for larger areas on undertaking to dispose of their present holdings. —Roads,— Willi regard to the loading ol land for roads, the Commissioners, after detailing some of the grievance'; on this point as ..ventilated by witnesses aiid describing the evidence as vague, conflicting- and unreliable, express the opinion that, generally sneaking, good faith has been kept with the settlers, and that the complaint relative to overloading by reason of the expense consequent on the cooperative work system has now been remedied.

On the main question oE loading, the Commissioners express themselves in uo uncertain terms. They commence by stating that the present methods of reading- require fundamental change— the question being one of equal importance Willi that of tenure. They insist that loading should be prior to, or coincident with, settlement, and that the practice of the St-ate in placing- colonists on waste lands in advance of loading stands condemned, and the colony cannot be absolved from' blame when it calls upon the pioneer settlers to carry out their lives' work under conditions inimical to their welfare. The Commissioners emphasise the fact thai !' is the duty ol the Colony to face with promptitude the expenditure necessary for the removal of these dis-, a-tylitics. They consider road construe) ion must he regarde;! as a State responsibility, and that, road maintenance should become the task of the local bodies. They point out that by reading prior to settlement the (joverimicnt would quickly recoup the expenditure by the increased \alue of the lam!. Also that greatej care would be required in fixing the upset prices for settlement.

—Dual Control of Roads.— The system of control bv County Councils and Road Boards has noi the Commissioners consider, stood' the test of criticism. In thirty cornices there are more than 200 Road Hoards operating ov w districts also lo some extent controlled bv C'ounlv CouiiciLs, he rate revenue of some of year s short of £25 a

r —Abolition, of Roa;| Boards.The abolition 0 f Road Boards is reke!rofu''llHUlri(,UeCQUllte to!>e 1 1 it Of Ihe income from ami expenroad ?ts" iusf'' Sceur "« to S, (I ihi re l' i v ill ' C , 01 w,lml y «X!>c"iran, eases t l |'ie'power l "h'e ssr ,iiiiiL

-Subsidies for Roads - o pul an end to the cxistinc disadvantages consequent on i„i Kin l " f. nance ' spasmodic ami un'cerS*ire, jgJr, SSSt; p a county rales he tt mf' 11 , u|)oli borrowing powers' of' lat gel y increased, grazimr vu, J i , nMcd on their salUll> value t amendment o| elause 50 of the Loe U roaJTwork!''"' 5

—Advance.'; to Scttlcrs.„The Commissioners are satisfied ,la lhc Advances to Settlers Dc-

partment lias been of great service to the seiners, ! though at first there was an inclination to be overcuiitvuis in maintaining an adequate margin the amount, now at Credit of the assurance and sinking fumls will [Ki'nvit a more liberal t reatmeiit ami will cause the, complaints made as to i\(usal of advances to lie removed in Ik' future. As to delay in making advances applied lor, the Commission,:rs point out thai borrowers should ~|iply at least six weeks ufore the money, is wanted. Up to the presort not a single loss lias uccurrid, and. the Commissioners consider that the Department might safely advance up to BO per cent, of the value of the security. Tlicy see no reason why leaseholders should te delwrrrd from facilities fur pled""' • lit for a temporary or fixed period, ! providing mortgagees were protected. All obstacles in the. way of tenants I obtaining temporary loans from pri- ] vate sources should be removal, and liv is suggested that a system might |be introduced whereby a settler might increase or decrease his loan from the Government from day to I day within the limit of the advance ! made.

—Condition of Crown Tenants.— Throughout the colony the condition of the tenants is described as prosperous and contented, but the check of noxious weeds and vermin must receive careful attention. Where the land is not of first quality the holdings should not he too small. The position of tenants of pastoral runs, however, called for immediate attention, owing to the effect of the discouragement caused by lack of security of tenure, —Taranaki.—

Referring to Taranaki, the report states "Wonderful work has been accomplished by the industrious settiers of Taranaki. Us bush and scrub clad hills are now turned into sheep and cattle farms, and its rich lowlands into dairy farms. But, again the cry rises, 'Give us roads.' Seeing the hardship these hardy pioneers have endured from the want of this necessity of settlement, and comfort, and the way they have burdened themselves to attain the object, they arc entitled to every consideration at the hands of the Slate."

—Conference of Commissioners of Lands.—

The Commissioners consider that at the conference held last December the discussion was of a most valuable and useful character, and they advise holding these conferences periodically.

—Classification ami Limitation.— The Commissioners consider that a more minute classification is necessary 011 open lands, grazing lands, and lands suitable for dairying, which should be divided into three classes, according to quality and situation. They consider the limit of 640 acres of the best land is much too high in some cases. Areas as at present settled are proved repeatedly to be unsuitable, and power should be given to aggreggte two or more sections, if the Board consider it desirable, whether the lands are contiguous or not. It is also recommended that power be given to adjust boundaries and amend leases accordingly willtout going through the present intricate and expensive process. Power should also l;c given io tenants to acquire one or more additional areas without separate residence conditions ami to subdivide or dispose of their holdings in part or paris suhijcet to approval by the Boards.

—Working Men's Homes.— The Commission consider that the housing of city wage-earners calls for immediate attention consequent on the rise in rents compared with wages. The present system has met with fair success, but the Commissioners consider the total advance by Die Government for buildings on the holdings might safely be increased from iiiOi to £l2O, the proportion being raised to 60 per cent, of the total expenditure. As to the area of the holdings, they arc at present too large, and might be subdivided, as five acres entails too great, a burden on working men who have not time to cultivate that quantity profitably- There appears to be a keener demand for small sections, even to an eighth of an acre, with quick and cheap means of transit to the locality of their work. This want should be supplied at Hie earliest opportunity. —Unoccupied Native LaudsS— After allowing for live million acres adjudicated on by the Native Land Court, there are a million acres still .suitable for settlement, a cgnsiderable area being suitable for closer settlement, and the remainder, when cleared and grassed, would make excellent sheep country. At present these unoccupied lands produce nothing, pay no rates, and yet participate in the advantages of all the public and private works, and the natives evince no desire to bring the land into use, but allow it to become a wilderness and a harbour tor noxious weeds and ra-bjbits—a burden for adjoining settlers, who' have to bear all the taxation and cost of ■eiices. Both races would benefit by these lands being acquired cn the principle of lands for settlement,' the proceeds being placed in the hands of the Public Trustee, ample reservation being made for the use of the natives.

—Noxious Weeds.— After pointing out that ragwort and Ualifornian thistle were spread' "IE to an alarming extent, the Commissioners "cannot too strongly re--SSS..* —Freehold aud Leasehold.— There are two reports 011 this "eneraV ,1 1 StatcS tllat a hi V 1 1 u Sll '° 10 act l u ' lu the freehokl nail been expressed by witnesses, the main objection urged against lie pel petual lease being the difficulty 01 obtaining advances, ami the fear 01 re-valuation. Many tenants pointed out that, their expenditure in connee ion with making the land productive m a few years made their in!r «T, "V, c , ,amt ma »y. ?i t ■ l:llal Of the State, and thai 111 their ease there is no unearned increment, but it is more a 'm ?i, lllc Co'ony being j„ (hoir monded " U,n,n,,S!il «"™* rocom-

(a) riiat the lease in perpetuity lenuie under "The Land Act 1592 " rt-inairi on tin- S la lute 15oi>k, .liit if i* 1 lla ' ' sinll »ear from , leaseholders of leases in perpctwiy uj.de,. Un / * Jj ' aie (teuous or doing so, thev bp pc; mi tied to convert, to occupaw'"> rigM of purchase We t , , ? er cc " l ' ''ifcroncc in ,vm, ' be , Wcc " tl,c 'AVo tenures id ,? " Ucrt '' sl Pro-' win lie fl,'"! |n T' C " ICn,s 10( l u ' r t'il Uoi a v..1,5 six .V« iU 's of occupaprovided ' u" f'T' UUl ' M,d also lave in fh. 'esjdeucc conditions iau n the opinion o{ the Land Uodu.l been complied with. of nirnlut r SSWS UlKicr I,lc ri'Sf't " Thc Lail " Act be |wumtl«i after ten years' Kcupancy, ami fulfilment of condios to '.ay off the capital valufo, men land 'in sums 0 f £io or a!y ml Jst*M U "°" t " B E il Tenet n y la - Uur " j j | , y> the purchasing clause ly bcl " s Proportionate* (h)'[Ji h! fr\ d,an R rs u ' lKler headings I'iml' Fil'm '' U " d,u ' WW*'" of ',ml d i i ,<llly i* undesirable, gjtSr agai,,si lla < Hin'^ lat ri "» (I Clst00(1 that ill H . ''fll n al P l r P®' cs «>e «tale w , lain all the mineral rights. "h"il V a "n S Mc Ke»»W, Kol.m Hall Wm. w. McCardto, W. A Malterwn. ' ? pption gtvea them of put-.

chasing the freehold at the original upset price, as suggested for other Crown tenants.) The No. 2 report is signed by Messrs Forbes, McLennan, Paul, Anstoy and Johnston, and tlwy consider the evidence in favour of the tenants being granted the freehold must he largely discounted. They strongly s deprecate the action of political and other organisers in fomenting the agitation for the upsetting of the existing titles, which tlicy consider should be held sacred. They recommend a lcase-in-perpetuity with readjustment of rental by abitration at periods of, say, 50 years for the first term, and thereafter every 21 years, the tenant's interest in -his improvements :,o be fully conserved to Witt in all cases, the value to be. fixed by arbitration. This form of lease they consider should also be adopted un»i * , ' or Settlement Act. Mr Johnsion adds a footnote to I lie efleet that lie favours a tenant receiving (lie freehold on his completing improvements, exclusive of buildings and garden, to the value of • tluee times the original upset value of the land. He also differs on certain other points.