THE BALLOT SYSTEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12408, 22 October 1903, Page 5

THE BALLOT SYSTEM.

STATEMENTS OF ITS DEFECTS.

SUGGESTIONS BY GOVERNMENT

OFFICERS.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Wednesday. A return was laid on 'the table of the House of Representatives to-day, showing the opinions and recommendations of the Crown Lands Commissioners of the colony in respect to the working of the land ballot system.

Mr. Mueller, of Auckland, states that wealthy people, clerks, etc., apply in considerable numbers, and suggests that applicants should have to make a declaration that the land is for cultivation either for or by himself. He also thinks that transfers should be made more difficult, that residential conditions on bush and swamp land should be waived, and that landless applicants might have priority at the ballot.

Mr Smith, of Hawke's Bay, thinks residence should be strictly enforced, that the land boards should have power to reject speculative applications, that transfers might be barred for 10 years, or only allowed for good reasons, and provided that no profit is made, and that family dummyism should be stopped. Mr. Mackenzie, of Tarauaki, and Mr. Strouchan, of Wellington, duplicate some of the above suggestions, and the latter suggests that single men under 21, and' all single women, should be barred. Mr. Adams, of Marlborough, altogether condemns the ballot system, and suggests, that the land should be put up to auction at a fixed rental, the bidder of the highest premium being successful. Mr. Roberts, of Westland, suggests that married men should have preference, and that applicants unsuccessful at the first ballot should have two chances at subsequent ballots. Mr. Barron', of Otago, suggests a Board of Review, with power to reject unsuitable applicants; that experienced colonists should have preference over new arrivals, and that unsuccessful applicants at previous ballots should have priority. Tile most popular suggestions seem to be that somebody should have power to reject unsuitable applicants, and that members of a family should not be allowed to duplicate applications.