THE LAND BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2143, 27 July 1907, Page 1

THE LAND BILL.

FARMERS’ UNION’S VIEWS SUGGESTIONS TO COLONIAL EXECUTIVE.

> special mooting of the Poverty Bay Executive of the Farmers’ Union was held yesterday to consider the now Land Bill and forward suggestions to the Colonial Executive. There were present, Messrs. Watson (President), Sainsbury, Caesar, Holden and W. L. Clayton. The clauses woro discussed seriatim at great length, the following suggostod amendments being finally approved for submittal to the Minister of Lands, through tlio Colonial Executive:—

Clause 7—(a) The term “unexhausted improvements” should bo more clearly defined, as it is understood the Department’s valuers have instructions to class Bushfalling, Grass Sowing, and Drainage on Swamp Lands as exhausted improvements after a stated number of years. Clause 1 5-—Lessees should be entitled to compensation if any licenses issued giving right to minerals during ,'jis occupancy. Clause 16—Doubtful whether this Clause is in the interests of the. State, although possibly favorablo to lessees. Clauso 18, sec. 3 —lll any surrender, object to any alteration which does not recognise the value of goodwill and improvements as the property of the lessee, and not of the State.

Clause 19—Same principle should apply if lessee wishes to purchase. Clause 19, sec. 14—Should apply to Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900. Clause 19, sec. B—lf contract of purchase entered into, instead of cancellation of right for ten years in case of non-fulfilment, deposit should be taken with contract and forfeited for non-fulfilment.

Clauso 21-—lt is considered wrong in principle to hand over the functions of Parliament, such as the framing of special regulations to any Minister or Land Board. Clause 24, sec. 2—Objected to on same grounds as Clause 21. Clause 27—Permission to transfer under this clause shall not be withheld except for good and valid reasons publicly stated. Clause 29—Classification objected to. First-class land at One Pound sterling is much to low, and would limit large areas of broken hill country to non-payable holdings. Clause 48—Objected to on same grounds as Clauses 21 and 24. Clause 49—Consider should bo .struck out.

Clause 53—For Board substituted Commission, who shall report to Board.

Clause 55, sec. B—Object on samo grounds as 29. Clause 57—Consider should be struck out. Clause 66—Consider whole Clause objectionable. Present method of taking lands compulsorily much fairer. Any amendment should be in direction of appointing independent umpire by arbitrators in place of Supreme Court Judges, who have not necessarily a knowledge of land values.

This Executive desires to state that ft views with satisfaction the fact that the provisions of the Land Bill are a nearer approach to the views of the farming community than those of the original Bill.