THE LAND BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10088, 8 September 1910, Page 5

THE LAND BILL.

INTRODUCED BY GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

RIGHT OF PUKCHASE CONCEDED. IMPORTANT »EVv* PROPOSAL. I WELLINGTON, Last Night. The Land Act Amendment Bill, ! 1910, was introduced in the House 'of Representatives this afternoun r.»y Governor's Message. I Replying to Mr Massey, Sir Joseph Ward outlined the provisions of the Bill. Sir Joseph said the measure would grant holders of leases-in-perretuity, both of" land for settlement and Crown lands, ( tbe right of purchasing the fee simple on paying the original value of the land, plus 25 per cent, difference between the original value and the value at the date of sale; the terras of payment to be cash, or quarter cash; and the balance to be payable by instalments over. & period of thirty-three years. Endowment lands would remain under the renewable system and be reserved for the purpose of education and old age pensions. All other Crown lands would be held under the optional system. The recurring charges provided for by the Bill of last year are abolished, and also the right to pay 90 per cent, of the value of land. The holders of

leases in perpetuity are given the right to pay off the purchase money in 33 years. An important proposal contained in the Bill is one enabling private lands to be acquired from landowners. Lands of over £40,000 unimproved value may be acquired by the Lirowin from private owners by way of lease, either by agreement or compulsion, the lease to be for 33 years with right of perpetual renewal on revaluation. The Crown may buy, or be compelled by the owner to buy, at the expiration of ten years from the date of lease, or the Crown may. buy at the expiration of twelve months from the I commencement of the renewed lease at a price baaed on the capitalised I value of the land, calculated at 5: per cent.' tf no Agreement as to! rent » arrived at, tha matter is to, be fixed by a Court, but the rent is not to exceed 4£ per cent, of the value of the land, inclusive of improvements. The owners of lands so acquired shall have the right to retain an area not exceeding £SOOO in value. In Hawke's Bay alone, the lands available over the valuation referred to would finl occupation for 17,005 extra tenants, and in other districts thera would be a large increase in the number of tenants settled on the land. The maximum area that may be held by a Crown tenant has been reduced to 2500 acres third cla-jj, 2000 acres of second class, and 400 acres first class land.

Settlement under these provisions would, said the Prima Minister, galvanize the life of tha whole community, both tn town and country. The settlers would have a right of purchase from tbe landholders on the best terms they could secure not lower than a sum equal to a rental of 5 per cent, on the capitalised value.' In the event of sales being effected, the settlers' rent to the Crown would cease. The landlord could obtain the whole of the increase in the unimproved value up to ten years if he liked to push the sale to settlers; otherwise the Crown would 'take the land. If renewals were not taken by the Crown, or the leases were dei termined, the Crown would make good to. the owner any depreciation in the land or buildings. If tbe Crown did not renew on the surrender of a lease, the settler .would have to be compensated for hia outlay. Special provisions are made to enable leases in mining districts to be converted into lreeholds, subject to the Warden's consent and certain restrictions in the title. Massey said it was impossible, at the present stage, to discuss the involved propodal sof the Bill. He would take another opportunity of doing ao.