THE CROWN TENANTS' GRIEVANCE.

Evening Star, Issue 6966, 28 July 1886, Page 2

THE CROWN TENANTS' GRIEVANCE.

[From Our Parliamentary ReportebJ WELLINGTON, July 27. The Waste Lands Committee meet tomorrow to consider the petitions of Thomaß Browne and other pastoral apd agricultural tenants of the Crown. Two resolutions have been submitted for the Committee's consideration, and they are to the following effect. Mr Maeandrew is to move: —"Having carefully considered the subject of these petitions, and taken evidence thereon, the Committee are of opinion that it would be injudicious and impolitic on the part of the State to' make concessions to any one particular clasß of land occupants unless it is prepared to do so to every other class under similar circumstances, there being but little distinction as regards the question at issue between the case of the.petitioners and that of those who have acquired land from the Crown on freehold for cash at prices which may have proved to be out of keeping with the subsequent market value of produce. That while the position of the petitioners is undoubtedly one of hardship, it is hoped that the recent rise in the market price of wool may go far to improve their position. For these reasons the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioners." The amendment to be proposed by Mr Fulton is iu the following terms:—"That the petitioners' case demands the earnest consideration both of the Government and Parliament. While at the same time it is difficult to arrive at a satisfactory adjustment without the infliction of hardship and probable' Wrong on other classes of settlers, the present tenure of land under the Crown would be more satisfactory did it provide some self-acting adjustment of rents, both agricultural and pastoral, proportioned periodically to the price of the produce from the land. That the Government be requested during the recess to consider the propriety of introducing a measure dealing with all lands held from the Grown under the principle of judicial rents." Mr Macandrew's motion was carried unanimously. Mr Fulton did not propose Wb resolution as an amendment, but merely as a rj4er to }u* s original motion ; and at the request of the he agreed to defer the consideration of it till riext meeting. The Committee will report Mr Maeandrew s motion to the House this afternoon.