RELIEF FOR REVERTED LANDS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 99, 21 January 1926, Page 6

RELIEF FOR REVERTED LANDS

MACHINERY NEAR OPERATION

In the districts affected by deteriorated pastures, there is naturally some impatience for action under the Deteriorated Lands Act of last session. So far as the Government is concerned, all possible action has been taken. The work of drawing up the proclamation under the Act, and the regulations for its working, is considerable; This has now been done, and the forms of application for relief under the Act are about to be printed, after which it will devolve on applicants to bring their cases before the special revaluation committees. There will be three of these committees, and their personal is now under consideration by the Minister of Lands.

Among the forms of relief that may be granted to owners of deteriorated pasture—where the lands are Crown lands—are reduction of principal on purchase money, and remission over postponement of rent or interest.. Similar relief may be granted in the case of land mortgaged to the Crown. Advances may be made for purchase of fencing material. For the purposes of the Act the Minister may borrow up to £lOO,OOO. In the report -presented last session on the deterioration of Crown lands, it was approximately estimated that the cost per acre of felling second growth and of recovering reverted country was £1 15s. to £2 3s. 6d. per acre.