LAND TRANSFER TITLES.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 250, 21 October 1924, Page 8

LAND TRANSFER TITLES.

DISPENSING WITH LAWYERS. EFFECT OF NEW* ACT. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, Monday. In moving that the House go into committee on the Land Transfer (Compulsory Registration 0 f Titles), Bill, in the House or Representatives, the Hon. W. D. Stewart said the bill would result in a great step forward in the simplifying and cheapening of land dealings and the transfer of land. Mr. McCombs (Lyttelton) said the bill would involve a great deal of expense to many owners of poor land who could not afford surveys, etc., that would be required. Hon. Stewart said the bill was greatly in the interest of the general public. The Government undertook the whole cost of investigating all titles, which at present had to be borne by landholders if they wanted to bring their land under the land transfer system. Replying, the Hon. J. G. Coates said there was no compulsion on owners to bring their land under the Land Transfer Act, except that Government brought their land under the Act for them at a nominal fee of 25/. Mr. F. J. Rolleston (Timaru) pointed out that it was not a lawyers' bill, as lawyers coulcTiiot deal with land under tlie Land Transfer Act, and if this bill were passed it would have the effect of bringing all land into the land transfer system within five years. Hon. Downie Stewart said none but lawyers would question the bill, for it enabled the public to dispense with the service of lawyers. The bill was read a third time, and passed.