EDUCATION RESERVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15730, 3 October 1914, Page 9

EDUCATION RESERVES.

TENANTS* GRIEVANCES. [by telegraph—special correspondent.] Wellington, Friday. A discission in regard to some endowment leases in the Whakatane district, belonging to the Auckland University College Council, took place in the House of Representatives to-day. Nine lessees recently petitioned the House asking that the Crown should purchase these lands and either sell or lease them to the petitioners. The Lands Committee, to which the pettiion was referred, reported to-day as follows:"That as a. question of policy is involved toe Committee has no recommendation to make, hut is of opinion that the Government should provide uniformity of leases for the tenants of education reserves, giving security of tenure on terms that would encourage improvements to be effected, and also secure to the tenants the value of their improvements." Mr. Mac Donald (Bay of Plenty) pointed out the disabilities under which the tenants laboured in regard to their improvements, insecurity of tenure, etc. The Prime Minister said he had seen some of the tenants, as well as some of the leases, and ho knew something of their difficulties. He had received communications from all over Now Zealand from men who were in similar difficulties. He thought it would he advisable for the Government to purchase the lands in question from the bodies at present owning them, and for them to invest the money in other endowments, the lands to be then administered as ordinary Crown lands. Mr. Anderson (Mataura) said the Prime Minister's proposal would be an advantage to the present owners, as well as to the tenants, as the interest on the purchase money would be probably greater than the present rente. Mr. Poland (Ohinemuri) drew attention to the grievances of the lessees of some of the Thames High School Board leases, near Te Awaha. Some of these men had had relief in the form of recent legislation, but some had not. Mr. T. W. Rhodes (Thames) said there were onlv two of the tenants mentioned by Mr- Poland who had not yet secured a renewal of their leases.