THE LAND COMMISSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13206, 13 February 1905, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE LAND COMMISSION.

(Telegraphed by order of the Eight Hon. the Premier.)

WELLINGTON, January 27. The mcmbcra'oi the Land Couiraisoion are:—: Mr W. S. Bcid (chairman) Mr James M'Kerroiv Mr W. W. M'Cardl© Mr J. M. Johnstba Mr Robert Hall Mr Donald M'Lonnon Mr G. W. Forbes • Mr John Anstcy Mr W. B. Mathesoa Mr J. T. Paul.

Mr W. S. Roid, the'ehairman, was Solici-tor-general for very many years, and has a thorough knowledge of the land 1 laws of the colony.

Mr James M'Kerrow was for many years Surveyor-general and Secretary for Lands, end his knowledge of laud settlement, cultivation, and occupation is cxtcnsjvo and satisfactory. •Mr W. W. M'Cardle is a farmer of many years' experience. He was for many years a member of the Wellington Land Board and Education Board. Ho was also a member of one of the councils under the Maori Lands Administration Act. Mr J. M. Johnston, of Palmerston North, is an ex-l>ankcr, and is well versed in financial matters and land values, and he is treasurer of the Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

| Mr Robert Hall, of Auckland, is a farmer I of largo experience in the Auckland provincial district. His opinions on land matters are held in high estimation. He js ono of tile trustees of tho Dilworth Estate. Mr Donald M'Lcnnon is a Crown tenant in Otago. Mr G. W. Forbes is a farmer on the Cheviot Estate, and had a largo commercial training before he went farming. He has boon chairman of the Cheviot County, and throughout Canterbury commands the confidence of the settlers. Mr John Anstoy is a well-known farmer in South Canterbury, and for many years was a direotor of the Farmers' Co-operative Association. Ho is a lessee on an educational reserve. Mr W. B. Matheson is a farmer of large experience at Kketahuna, and is an officeholder in the Farmers' Union, Mr J. T. Paul is tho president of tho Otago Trades and Lalwur Council., It will be seen that every interest, is represented in hoth town and country. Apart from Mr M'Kerrow and Mr Reid, thero arc two members representing Cantorbury, two representing Otago, two representing Auckland, and two representing tho Wellington country districts, with Messrs M'Kerrow and Roid. Tho official sido' of the question lias not been omitted. It will bo noted that no members of Parliament and no members of Land. Boards and no officials have been appointed. From a perusal of the commission it will be seen that its scopo is wide, and covers all and every ground and phase of the land question demanding investigation. Mr R. A. Loughnan has been appointed secretary, and the commission will proceed at- one© with its labours. It will bo seen that tho time for the commission to report has 'been fixed at Ist May, but provision is made for extension, which probably will bo found necessary. The scopo of the commission is as follows : 1. The constitution of Land Boards, - 2. The tenures upon which lands may bo obtained and occupied, and whether, in the interests of the colony, any alteration of the law is desirable. 3. Whether Crown tenants labour under restrictions inimical to their well-being and unnecessary in the interests of the State. 4. Whether tho residential conditions now existing are too exacting and require relaxing, and, if eo, in what direction. 5. Also, if alterations and variations are necessary in the law regarding tenure and occupation, owing to the varying conditions existing in respect to the climato and land configuration in the several parte of the colony. 6. Also, whether it is expedient that the homestead privileges as indioatcd in the appendix to "The Land Act, 1885," should be reintroduced.

7. As to the working of the present ballot system and the dealing with applications for land.

8. The area of lands loaded for roads, tho amount of such loading, the amount oxpended on roads in, or giving access to, tho lands loaded, whether good faith has been kept in regard to tlieni,' and as to the amount borrowed,, spent, and available. ( 9. To ascertain the valuo of the land now leased from the Crown at tho time the land was so leased, and the valuo of the said land at its last valuation.

10. Whether lessees of the Crown are placed at a disadvantage in borrowing privately or from the Advances to Settlers Olfioe.

11. To ascertain the condition and position of those of our colonists holding and occupying the lands of the State under the several tenures now obtaining. 12. To consider the report of tho proeeedings and finding by the Conference of Commissioners of Lands and Members of Lane) Boards held at Wellington on the first, second, third, and fifth days of Decemljer, 1904, and to report and advise thereon. 13. To investigate and roport as to the aggregation of estaj;s, large and small, the maximum area which should be held under the several classes, and jf in certain districts variations are advisable.

14. To inquire and report whether each area of land leased tinder the Land for Settlements Act shall have a separate occupier, and the area not to l>e increased or boundaries altered without the dircct sanction of Parliament.

THE OTAGO REPRESENTATIVES. I Mr .T. T. Paul, who is one of the Otago members of the commission, informed a representative of this paper that ho had no idea that the Government contemplated appointing him to tho commission. The first he knew of it was when ho read his name in' tho paper as having liecn chosen apparently ,to represent tho workers on the commission. Mr Paul also stated that the laliour organisations had not made any request to the Government to be represented on the commission, as the Farmers' Union had done. He recognised, however, that the workers were deeply concerned with tho proper administration of the lands of the colony, without which it was almost impossible that tho country could be prosperous. He believed in 'the principle of tho leasehold, but would go into the matter' with an open mind a-i far as possible. Mr Donald M'Lonnan, of Duntroon, is also a supporter of tho leasohold, and, we understand, is opposed to granting the option of the freehold.

Mr W. S. Reid, chairman Of the Land Oommision, is ill. and has been ordered complete rest. It is understood ho has resigned from tho commission.