THE INCOMING TENANT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 80, 2 April 1908, Page 2

THE INCOMING TENANT.

j , CROW 2* T RENT REBATES. LAND BOARD'S DECISION. The question of rebates of rent under the Bush and Swamp Act to Crown tenants was vigorously discussed at the meeting o| the Crown Lands Board yes- • terday. A number of settlers from the Opotiki district, who had transferred their land, requested that the incoming tenants shoiild receive full rebates as •would have, been allowed to the original selector. The Commissioner (Mr. J. Mackenzie) opposed the application on the ground that the Act was intended to help the pioneer to "puTT through" on his holding before the land became reproductive. The privilege was never intended to apply to a case where a settler had transferred iis land at a profit, and when such land had been so improved as to give the incoming tenant a fair start. The granting of such applications, unless in special cases, should not be allowed, as being only an incentive to speculation. The lands in question had advanced greatly in value since "the ballot, the new tenants had paid heavily, and because of this, the Board was asked for rebates of the very reasonable rent to the Crown. Mr. Harris took an opposite view of the question, and held that the incoming tenant should receive rebate as well as the outgoing, and in many cases more so, as after having to pay a considerable sum to go on the land, he. was the man on whom the work fell. The Act did not deny the transferee rebates, and (the speaker considered) the inference was that such a grant was intended. Messrs. Tronnson and Renshaw supported Mr. Harris, both expressing the opinion that the incoming man should get all tie benefits of rebate he was allowed. Mr. Harris moved: "That the rebates be allowed for the balance of the full period (five years) to the incoming tenant." This was carried, the Commissioner and Mr. Armstrong opposing.