SOUTHLAND FARMERS' UNION AND THE COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3249, 21 June 1916, Page 12

SOUTHLAND FARMERS' UNION AND THE COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS.

At the recent Provincial Conference of the Southland Branch of the New Zealand Fanners' Union a resolution was passed approving of the action of Messrs Middlcton, Fleming, and Robertson, members of the Southland Land Board, in connection with an alteration in the boundaries of two runs in the Lake Wakatipu district, and upholding the contention of these members that the opinion of the majority of the board should be given effect to. Tho resolution having been referred to him, Mr H. D. M. Haszard, the Commissioner, has written a dignified reply, pointing out that tho speakers at the conference were evidently Utder a complete misapprehension as to the facts of the case. According to the Land Act, certain decisions of the board arc final, and there is no appeal; in certain, other instances an appeal can bo taken to tho Supreme Court; and in tho third category are decisions which have to be reserved for the Minister's decision, with tho natural corollary that power of veto rests in the holder of that office. The Commissioner's duty is to furnish a report to the Minister, especially should lie have occasion to disagree with the terms of the resolution of the braid. After pointing out that a commissioner is generally enabled to take a view of matters from a detached standpoint, Mr Haszard points out that since he has had charge of the Invercargill office 3(3 resolutions have been sent forward, and all have been confirmed except one. In this particular case effect could not bo given to the board's resolutions till March, 1918, and in any event would be subject to the report of the Classification Commission, which is set tip to deal with expiring run leases._ For this reasdn, irrespective of the merits of the case. Mr Haszard says ho considered it inadvisable to deal with the mntter_ at _ present, and the Minister endorsed his views. This was the reason of tho alleged friction. Mr Haszard. while willing; to credit each member with the best motives, for his particular point of view claims that he should be accorded the same privilege. He has to maintain the, right which pertains to his office, one of which is not only a right but an instruction —namely, that he should submit his views to the Minister in regard to questions dealt with.

SOUTHLAND LAND BOARD ADMINISTRATION. TO Till! EDITOR. Sin, —A good deal of discussion has taken ploco lately in the above board over land administration, and until the Commissioner's letter appeared in the miblio press things seemed to bo all ngainst him. However, ifc is host to hear both sides to every question, and to tho unbiassed mind tlio

Commissioner's letter has cleared up the whole matter. Nothing is more astonishing after Mr Mjddleton's assertion that, "if the Minister endorsed the action the Commissioner had taken up there would be vacancies on the board/' he should have accepted office for a further term, the Commissioner's action having been approved of.—l am etc., F AIRPLAY.