THE LAND BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8234, 12 September 1906, Page 5

THE LAND BILL.

(Per Government Mo,no)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 11. The Land Act Amendment Bill, which was brought down bf the Government, last nigbt, iu the Uous© of Representatives, is intituled "an Act to amend the law relation to the disposition of Crown lands, and also to limit the aggression of private estates in land." The first portion of it deals witht a natiunfil endowment for education and other i purposes. Section three feservoa si?, the Crown land* unsold or uueeleotec* on the coming into operation of the Act, with the exception of Isucm required under the Lands for Sett lament Act endowments and reserves: for all purposes of administration. The national endowment remains »as Crown land, but the proceeds are to bs paid into the nations!?, endowment account out of tho account. The money ia to be, distributed for education purposes far hospitals and charitable aid purposes, aud for old age The next portion of the Bill dun's with the new 66 year*' lease, whiob ia to be known as "th.i ronesvabie lease." Provision is made tha! all lauds except pastoral lauds and small grazing aro to ba disposed nnder the renewable lease system. Under this system the leabou are- for 06 years, and the rentals are to be live per cent, if the laud is under tho Land for Settlement Act, and four per cent, for all the other lands. Tho provision in regard to tho renewal of leases generally ia that, at the end of 66 years an appraisement is made of the value of tae land and value of the improvement thereon, and of what would be a [ fair yearly rental. If the tenant is ! agrooable be may have the land at the new rental for another period of 66 years, but if he does not agree to take it be is to receive payment for [ his improvements. Power is reserved under the Bill to retain from bis payments moneys to make up for I depreciation or damage to the property. The holders of leasen-in-per-petuity, deferred payment licenses or perpetual leaseholders, may convert into the renewable leases in the case of land for settlement lands at five per cent., and in all other oases at four per cent. If the bolder of a lease-in-perpetuity desires to purchase the land he may surrender and the property will be put up for auction burdened with improvements. The proceeds of the sale are to be paid into the Lands for Settlement Account, into which account also go ail moneys arising from the reduction of the capital. Clause 10 of the Bill gives power to the Government to draw up regulations under which people in cities who desire to make homes for themselves in the country may make a commencement. Pollowing on we come to the provisions dealing with the limitations of private estate in 'and. Shortly stated they are these:—Within twelve months the Valuer-General is to value the properties of £50,000 and over unimproved value. are then placed on a list called the "exoess estate provisional list," and Gazetted. The right of appeal to the Assessment Court is provided to owners. After an appeal and when the list has been settled it ie called "the excess estate provisional roll." The provisional roll, when Gazetted, is final and conclusive. On the ex piration of ten years the ValuerGeneral compiles and Gazettes a list called "the excess estate reduction list," consisting of those who of the former list at that time still own £50,000 worth of unimproved value. This list is Gazetted and registered against the title of tho lands. Whilst such registration continues no transaction can be put through the registry. This list is subjeot to appeal, aud after an appeal is fixed, and registered the former registration becomes cancelled. The provision for reduction to £50,000 is as follows The Minister is empowered to' sell the excoss and give a conveyance to the purchaser. The purchase money derived from the sale is used to pay the costs of the sale. The oost of survey aud the oost of roadiug and the balance is to be paid to the Public Trustee, to the credit of the owner. In connection, with all transfers of land the transferee must make a declaration that he is not the owner of land vjhich added to what lie proposes to purchase will exceed a thousand acres of firsc claea laud, five thousand of second-class and ton thousand of third-class. The Laud Board will, on being required to do bo by the owner, classify the lands of any owner. Finally provision is mode for regulations dealing with p number of subjects whioh crop up m oouneotiou with the measure.