LEASEHOLD FARMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20249, 8 May 1929, Page 13

LEASEHOLD FARMS.

COMPENSATION FOR TENANTS PROVISION IN LAW URGED. fBY TELEGIUrH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DUNEDIN, Tuesday. A matter of some importance to farm tenants was brought before a meeting of the Otago Farmers' Union to-day in tlio form of the following remit from the Waikouaiti branch—"That the Government be asked to introduce legislation making it compulsory for landlords to give compensation for unexhausted improvements to tenants on the expiration of a lease." Mr. J. Preston, mover of the remit, said in this country there was not a great deal of land leased from private owners, but in the cases that existed the proposed provision would give a tenant every encouragement to improve his land to the utmost in the use of fertilisers and in other ways. The present system was not calculated to improve the quality of land. Mr. F. Waite, M.P., said a tenant should make a bargain with the people from whom he leased the land. He did not think it was a matter for legisla'°Mr. E. H. JVhirney said if he could show a private landlord that it was going to be advantageous to him be would not bargain, but would put in a clause on his own initiative. He believed it could be shown to private landlords that it would bo to their advantage to insert such a clause. Mr. Harris, organiser for the union, said in Taranaki an allowauce was made to tenants for fertilisers, and the result was that the land was kept in good heart. . It was decided to bring the question forward at tlie provincial conference.