CROWN LAND TENANTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 264, 7 November 1931, Page 12

CROWN LAND TENANTS.

RELIEF LEGISLATION.

PRAISE IN" PARLIAMENT.

POSTPONEMENT OF PAYMENTS,

WELLINGTON, Friday.

Moving the second reading of the Land Laws Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives to-day, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands, said it was designed to render a greater measure of assistance to Crown tenants who, under the existing circumstances and economic difficulties, found themselves in need of such help.

The bill not only made provision for postponements and remissions of rent and interest, but also enabled tenures which had been entered into during the last few years to be reconsidered. It proposed to set up special committees to act in conjunction with land boards and inquire into the tenures of Crown holdings and the conditions of holders. He considered the most useful men to serve on the proposed committees would be practical fanners, with a knowledge of the district in which they would serve.

Mr. M. J. Savage (Labour, Auckland West) said the House was always making new laws, but he questioned if they were adequately administered. The bill would set up committees to investigate farmers' difficulties, but could the Government do anything for the farmer after investigating his affairs ?

Mr. W. J. Poison (Stratford) said he ■welcomed the bill as an instalment of what was necessary for the development of the country. Its most important feature was the fact that it would help to keep men on the land instead of allowing them to be driven off by the depression.

Several other members complimented the Minister on having brought clown the measure, which, they said, would be of great assistance to many farmers. Mr. S. G- Smith (New Plymouth) urged the Minister to endeavour to extend the provisions of the Land Law Amendment Act, 1929, so that assistance could be given to bring privatelyowned land into a more productive state. He believed if a fund of £100,000 to £200,000 were set aside for this purpose it would be possible to transfer 5000 to 10,000 unemployed men from the cities to useful work in the country. The bill was passed.