HAURAKI PLAINS LEASES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4351, 5 December 1921, Page 2

HAURAKI PLAINS LEASES

UNEQUAL CONDITIONS. A PROMISE OF RELIEF. A grievance of holders of former pastoral leases on the Hauraki Plains was mentioned in the House on Friday by Mr Poland (Ohinemuri), in drawing the attention of the“ Minister for Lands to the difference of conditions -fbr those who had converted the - original tenure into a 66-year renewable lease, and those who had retained it in, the original form. He explained that some years ago the legislation te empower the Conversion bf the pastoral lease into a renewable lease, was carried; and subsequently power was given to grant the freehold title to the holders pf pastoral leases. The holders wlho had obtained the 66year renewable lease were now dis-' satisfied in that it was impossible For them to be granted the freehold while their neighbours were obtaining It/ There were also a number of settlers in the Waihi district w|ho were in a similar position, and who had petitioned the Prime Minister in .the matter this session, and he asked that the Minister should trpaiti the matter, which he had explained, as urgent If it could be dealt with this session, it would be a matter* qf great gratification to many sellers. The Minister, Hon. D. H. Guthrie, said the original leasp had been a very poor one, and when they, got the opportunity of a better tenure under the 66 years’ lease many of the settlers naturally jumped ’at it. By this their holdings automatically became nationaLendowment land, which made the matter difficult. The House had given the freehold in the case of some national endowment land, and he had in view a proposal, to put before the Housei, if not'this session, then next session, .to adjust the matter.