THE LAND BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14226, 24 November 1909, Page 8

THE LAND BILL.

GRANTING THE FREEHOLD.

CASH OR INSTALMENTS.

NATIVE LAND AREAS.

TO BE SOLD ON OPTIONAL SYSTEM.

BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Tuesday Midnight. The Land Laws Amendment Bill provides in the first place for the acquisition of the fee simple. Under section seven, lessees in perpetuity or renewable lease lands are to have the right of acquiring the freehold for cash, or on the instalment system. The purchase price shall be the original value of the land, meaning thereby the value on which the rent reserved by the lease was computed by; provided that in cases where the rent was computed on the capital value of the land apart from the buildings thereon, and the assessed value of the buildings was to be paid by the lessee, so much of such value as remains unpaid at the' time of the application to purchase the fee simple shall be added to, and , included in, the purchase price; provided also that in the case of renewable leases the value of the minerals, as defined in section 190 of the Land Act (all of which were by virtue of that section excluded from the lease), shall be ascertained by the Board by valuation and be added to, and included in, the purchase price. Under the instalment system the balance unpaid is to pay interest at 4 per cent, in regard to the increment to go to the Crown at periodical intervals. There are five recurring intervals of 33 years each in the case of lease-in-perpetuity land, and perpetually recurring intervals of 33 years each in the c as qf renewable lease land. The proportions pavable are one-tenth in the case of leasein "perpetuity land, one-fifth in the case of renewable lease land, if it is not settlement land, and two-fifths in the case of renewable lease land if it is settlement ! land. . . , Special provisions are provided in regard to now existing leases in perpetuity .whether settlement land or ordinary Crown land. Such settlers may, at any time within two years after the coming , into operation of the Act. acquire the fee simple of the land for cash at the price, and in. the manner following: —The purchase price shall be the price ascertained under section 7, plus one-half of the sum (if an by which the unimproved value at the date of the purchase exceeds the unimproved value at. the date of the lease.

SETTLEMENT LAND. In every case where Istad (not being classed as undeveloped , land) may be disposed of by way of renewable lease, it may also be disposed of by sale of the foe simple. In every case where such settlement land is opened for public selection by way of renewable lease it shall also be opened for purchase of the fee simple. For the purpose of such purchase the following provisions shall apply: —(a) The ' purchase price shall be the , capital value of the land (including buildings and improvements) as fixed by the Minister for Lands; (b) the purchase may be for cash, or on the instalment system under the Act. VALUATIONS.

In regard to valuations, they shall in case of dispute be ascertained by arbitration, provided that where the rent reserved by the lease is based on the unimproved value the sum at which that value was fixed shall be accepted as final for the purposes of the first valuation in connection with the recurring charge. " Section 191 of the Land Act (giving tho owner of a renewable lease or of a lease in perpetuity the right to pay up to 90 per cent, of the capital value of his land) is to be repealed, and no euch payments shall hereafter be made, provided that the provisions of that section shall continue in operation with respect to payments heretofore made.

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. All surplus moneys received in respect of the sale of the , fee simple of Crown lands (other than settlement lands) shall be paid into the public " account to the credit of a separate account called the national development account. The moneys in that account shall be applied in the development of the country by roads, bri<V». telegraphs, telephones and railways, subject in every case to appropriation by Parliament.

NATIVE LAND PURCHASES. Power is to be taken to purchase from time to time areas of native land in -the North Island not exceeding in all two million acres. Any incorporated body of native owners or any Maori land board is empowered to sell to the Minister any land vested in it. Where the Governor-in-Coun-cil is : of opinion that in the case of any specified area of native land owned in severalty no agreement . for purchase can be come to, there is provision for taking compulsorily if no agreement is made. The amount to be * expended in any one financial year shall not exceed £500,000. The land so purchased is to be settlement land. Such of it as is classed as undeveloped land shall be disposed of on the optional system. NATIONAL ENDOWMENTS. • In regard to the acquisition of the fee simple, national endowment land is exempted. SMALL GRAZING RUNS. In regard to these runs, there is provision for right of renewal of lease for one term only, and compensation for improvements. GENERAL. The Bill contains a clause providing for a uniform system of arbitration. Rebates of rent, under section 55 of the Land Settlement Act, are only to be allowed when, a tenant has four,children.