The Land Question.

Otago Witness, Issue 1892, 15 May 1890, Page 19

The Land Question.

TO THK EDITOK.

Sir,— l beg to submit for the consideration of those interested a key to open the lock of the new Land Bill. My proposal* are :—: — All land in New Zealand to be surveyed in sections of from 100 to 610 acres each, leasehold or otherwise.

1 . Any one taking up a section shall acquaint the Land Board with bis intention ; the board to grant him permission — two years free of rent; at the end of two years to pay as rent, 6d, 9d, and Is per acre, according to quality. ,

2. At the end of two years, if the holding has been or is being tilled, improved, with good substantial fences, good and approved buildings, with 10 acres of forest trees planted, and growing vigorously, and fenced off from the rest of his holding with barbed wire and wire netting, for every 100 ncreß he has got he should then get a Crown grant free. 3. At the end of six years all improved land free, unimproved 2s 6d per acre, with the option of making it a freehold by complying with the condition mentioned above.

i. Should there be more than one applicant for the same section, the successful one to be decided by lot. 5. No more than 640 aores to beallowed to one man under any condition

6. No one to be allowed te sell hia section until he has made it freehoM, unleßs he be leaving the colony.

7. Any holder or boloera sellinghis or theirsection to tak« up a bigger one, shaU pr.y r^nt from the day of his or their application six months in advance.

8. No one shall ha allowed to sell his freehold of (510 acres unless he, is leaving the colony, but he may leaee all or pnrti n of it to another selector who has already GlO i>cres, and at the end of six years the said land will revert to the o-iginal owner free of a'l debt.

9 Residence after two years in all cases to be "compul-iory. 10. No compensation shall be allowed to any lessees for land taken from them for settlement.

11 Any faMier or gnurdian may take up 640 ncres for children under ngo, but rent must bo paid from the fay of selection, and all sections so taken up must be at lea<;t 10 miles apart, and 10 miles from the applicant's own section. 12. All land belonging to children under age shall be exempt, until riiey train their majority. 13 All freehold land belonging to widows shall be exempt during their widowhood. 11 All freuiio'rt lend in N«w Zealand above 640 acres, within live miles ot a railway. shall pay to the county £5 for the enhanced value effected by the said railway, und £} 10a within 10 mtles.

15. All freehold land in New Zealand above 640 acres shall pay <i lav of tid per hC.e for the first three years ai,d l-> !'>;• f lic next threo jiii!3. A'ter six Yeans :]-, lid in-r fi<-re 1(5 A'l fr. L'hMd Hnrt in Nev Zealand above 610 acies in extent, nnd which his not contributed in tqual proportions tv the o«ner of 10 acres, shall be called upon to remit thw deflioiency of taxation tor the last 2o venri. 17. No Maori ehall b? allowed to sell land unless he have more than 640 ac-ea for every man, womfin, and child ; and any land sold must be paid for at the rato of £2 pnr ace— casi down in gold, s'lv<?r, or bank note*.

18. Ho one sIimII be allowed to buy from Maoris mure land I linn fi4o acre* - Y<uir», &c , Bendigo, May 2. Donald Nicholson.

A public nvetin will be held at nfnton on Saturday afternnon to hear the repo t of the committee appointed to make inquiries re the establishment of a rabbit tinning factory.