THE RESTRICTED AREA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81845, 12 September 1906, Page 4

THE RESTRICTED AREA.

The full effect of the new provision foreshadowed by the Hon. R. M'Xab has been slow to reach the under standing of the House. The Minister said that in all transfers of iand re gistered anywhere after the coming into operation of the Act, the trans feree would have to sign a deciar ation that he did not own already cer tain areas mentioned by way of limits in the statute; the limits specified being 1000 acres of first class land and 5000 acres of second class. "That declaration," added the Minister, "would have to be signed by all men who bought land in New Zealand."' PerfonaHy he was at present the owner of 1150 acres of iand outside of two or three hundred acres over which his tenants had the right of purchase. That fact would prevent him going into the market and buying a single acre of land unless it was within the boundaries of a borough or city. Even this evening there were to be found members who were doubtful as to the full force of this. Approached on the point, the Minister stated that his proposal meant that no man who owned 1000 acres of first class land or 5000 of second class land would be allowed to purchase more. The pro posal.is regarded by the Minister as the moat important in the Government land policy. Its effect of course will be absolutely to prevent the aggregation of large estates.