LAND TRANSACTIONS

Otago Witness, Issue 3312, 5 September 1917, Page 41

LAND TRANSACTIONS

PURCHASES BY ALIENS. (Fkom Our Own Cobbespoxdekt ) WELLINGTONS, August 30." Complaint has been made on several occasions in the House that alien enemies are being allowed to purchase the lands of Europeans, especially the lands of soldiers going on active service. In replying to a question by Dr Tha.cker to-day, the Prime Minister said it was quite impossible to transfer lands to enemy subjects, because this would be trading with the enemy. In the case of Crown lands the Minister and the Lands Department had on all occasions refused to allow transfers of land to aliens. Mr Witty; These aro naturalised aliens. Air Massey said there was a difficulty about preventing gales of land to naturalised aliens, because they were exactly in the same position as British subjects. Mr Witty: If a man is not (it to send away it is not right that he should be able to buy another man's land. Mr Massey said that under international law the Government could not restrict the rights of naturalised subjects in regard to the purchase of private land. The Government could do it with regard to its own lands. He had refused to sanction a transfer that morring to a man with a German name, although he knew little more about the man than his name. Dr Thacker: What about preventing the sale of lands of soldiers to anybody ? Mr Massey said these lands should not be sold, and be was endeavouring to make arrangements to prevent it. There would be legislation before the House this session to deal with the point raised by the hen. member. Mr Poland asked what steps, if any, the Government was taking to deal with the question of the purchase of tho land of Europeans all over lhe country by naturalised Germans and Austrians. Syndicates o£ Austrians were being formed to purchase dairy lands all over the country. Was nothin? being done to stop this? Mr Massey said the point was a very difficult one. It was under consideration 1)7 Cabinet, and he had had an irueview with the head of tho Lands De-pa' tment with regard to it.