BIG ESTATES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8736, 19 May 1914, Page 4

BIG ESTATES

GOVERNMENT AND OWNERS MR MASSEY' SAVS THERE ARR DIFFICULTIES. A deputation of Wairarapa residents, headed by Sir Walter Buchanan, M.P., and Messrs G. R. Sykes, M.P., and Ryder, waited upon the Minister for Lands (Right Hon. AV. F. Massey) yesterday afternoon to ask that the Government should ocquiro the Anncdale estate (15,794 acres) and the Timii estate (11,503 acres) for closer settlement. It was claimed by the deputation that tho Tinui district was being kept back owing to these big estates being in existence, and that until they were subdivided there was little chance of progress in that part of tho AA'airarapa. In the course of his reply, Mr Massey made an interesting statement regarding tho acquisition of estates. H« said that in tho Wairarapa a certain property had been offered tho Government, but the price placed upon it had been prohibitive, and he had had to advise tho Land Purchase Board to left the matter stand over in the meantime. The law- at one time was that properties were taken under tho same ‘ conditions as/land was acquired under tho Public AVorks Act, but that was not the law that existed to-dny. As far as these, two ,estates wore concerned, he would ask, first, whether the owners were willing to sell, and if they, were, he could assure tho deputation that the Government was ready to buy —at a reasonable price. But the Government was not going to pay extreme prices. Such a course would mean that tho people who took up tho land would later on come to the Government and ask for a reduction in value and a consequent reduction in rents. He had a dozen cases whore the Government was face to face with this position: the values would have to .ho reduced or the settlers would go out. Mr Sykes asked when those properties had been acquiied. Tho Prime Minister: “Some ten years ago.” The Government had not acquired any estate compulsorily for tho last seven years, tho reason being that so many difficulties had been placed in tho way that tho law had been found almost unworkable. Ho had been looking into tho matter recently, and had found this to be the case. Whether Parliament would amend tho law ho could not say. With regard to tho Act of last year, he had certain power, as Minister for Lands, and he was sotting that Act in motion regarding several properties in various parts of tho Dominion. In the meantime, ho could not make public what be was doing. In answer to a question, Mr Ryder said bo thought the capital value of tho Annedale estate was £6 8s per. acre. Mr Massey: “We can’t take it at that.” Mr Ryder added that the capital value of the Tinui estate was about £7 per acre. ’ Mr M-assey said li© would forward tho deputation’s request to the Land Purchase ’Board, and set matters in mo-, . tion. He was going to get land foi; settlement wheroyer possible at a reasonable price. Mr Ryder considered that the Northern Wairarapa district had been neglected in 'this respect. Sir AValter Buchanan: “That is answer to Mr Massey, Mr Ryder said it was thirteen years since a pro-perty—-the Langdale estate—had been subdivided under tho Land for Settlement Act. Mr Massey said that if the properties could be procured at a reasonable price he was prepared to buy. On tho other hand, the owners might he prepared to subdivide the land. ■■ Mr Ryder; “Among members ot their families!” ■ ... , Mr Massey: “ AVell, that is subdivtsion within the meaning of the Act.