FLAX-LAND LEASES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17950, 30 November 1932, Page 7

FLAX-LAND LEASES

EXTENSION OF TERMS MAXIMUM OF 66 YEARS (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Existing provisions regarding the utilisation of leaseholds suitable for flax-growing purposes are enlarged by tho Lands Washing-Up Bill introduced in the House yesterday. . Under the last amendment of the land laws, power was given whereby owners of leases granted for the growing, cutting, and removal of flax might, with the approval of a land hoard and the Minister of Lands, surrender them and receive in exchange new flax leases for any period up to 33 years, with or without right of renewal for a further like term, subject to certain protection for improvements. The object of that provision was to encourage flax culture, give opportunities for the employment of the labor necessary for that industry, and to provide a tenure on which the owners of flax leases could offer bettei security for finance.

It has since been found that the maximum term of 33 years is regarded as being rather short in some cases where security has to. be green toi financial accommodation involving considerable amounts, and the government desires to obtain power whereby in cases where flax lands arc evidently not suitable for fanning purposes new leases may be granted m special cases for any term up to 00 years, with or without the light o renewal for a further similar term. The bill makes provision nccoiumgi,'.