RENT OF MINING LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18171, 17 August 1922, Page 8

RENT OF MINING LAND.

REQUEST FOR REDUCTION. PRESENT POWERS OE MINISTER. [by telegbaph.—SPEClAL KEPORTEE;] * WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The proposal to reduce tho rent to 1b per acre per annum in, the case of quarterly claims now being protected until such time, as payable gold is discovered, has been brought under the notice of the Minister for Mines by Mr. T. W. Rhodes (Thames), who has asked that legislation be introduced to make this possible. He has pointed out that the proposal has been approved by a conference of all local bodies within the Hauraki mining district and by tho Mines Committee of the House. The reduction suggested would not mean any loss of State revenue, as all goldfield revenue is paid to the local bodies whero the mining privilege is situated. - The Minister has roplicd that the existing law already empowered the Minister for Mines upon the request of a local body entitled to goldfield revenuo to treat auch revenue as not recoverable or to accept a compromise in respect thereof, or to give time for payment. Further, the Minister may in his discretion on the recommendation of the warden direct that the rent payable shall during such period as the Minister determines be reduced to such sum as he thinks fit. In view of this, and as a number of other local bodies from several parts of the Dominion had objected to the provision proposed, there did not appear to be any necessity to provide for it in this year's Mining Bill. . • " '