Farm lessees reassured

Press, 30 March 1989, Page 2

Farm lessees reassured

PA Wellington The Minister of Lands, Mr Tapsell, yesterday reassured farmers leasing pastoral land that their rights would not be substantially reduced under a new Land Act. Farmers leasing the land have always enjoyed certain rights and those would remain, Mr Tapsell said in a speech for delivery to the North Canterbury high country section of Federated Farmers at Mount White Station. Farmers would still be able to apply for building permits, to oversow, topdress or make farm tracks.

Mr Tapsell said the new emphasis on conservation and the restructuring of the Lands and Survey De-

partment made it necessary to review Crown land administration and the Land Act.

Inevitably, administration of the 350 high country leases was part of that review. “The Government recognises its responsibility to fairly protect the rights of the lessees.” In drafting the new Land Bill, to be introduced to Parliament later this year, Mr Tapsell said it would provide clear guidance to the administering agency and would not change the existing balance of rights between the Crown and the lessees. The new act would not provide the Crown with substantially greater power than it had under the old.