THE ABSOLUTE HOLDING OF LAND.
TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The Maori is, I think, the only " absolute" holder of land in this country. His title is absolute, being that of conquest or inheritance; but we colonists, holding under the Crown, have what is called the fee simple of the land', tho holders having the fullest power of disposing which tho law allows. And so land is held under the Crown upon certain conditions, e.g., the Crown can resume possession, can tax and can levy stamp duty upon all transactions, etc. Thus the title is not an absolute one. It would be interesting to know what landowners in New Zealand pay annually for the privilege of the fee simple. France, I have been told, takes but 11 years to pass through the stamp office. This, of course, means taking France on an average. And though a Republic, France does not appear to bo in any hurry about killing the goose that lays golden eggs.— am, etc. W. November 21, 1900.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11540, 27 November 1900, Page 7
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168THE ABSOLUTE HOLDING OF LAND. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11540, 27 November 1900, Page 7
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