THE LAND BILL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 5540, 23 July 1907, Page 4

THE LAND BILL.

A SYNOPSIS OE ITS CONd’ENd'S. WELL! NGTON, July PL d’he Government's proposed land legislation was presented to Parliament to day. d lie Bill deals not only with Grown hinds, but also with laud for settlements lands. Part I. contain; provisions relating to the 'former, and part 11. those concerning the latter. After the. passing of the Act the renewable lease takes the phu'e of the lease iu perpetuity. d’he renewable lease is for a term of (v.i years, with the perpetual right of renewal. d'his right is an extension of last year’s provisions. The rented is I tier rent ner annum.

I here is provision in the Bill for valuation for improvements at the end of the successive terms, the f-.-e simple and .yearly rental to he fixed by arbitrators appointed by the parties. If they fail to agree, or if the lessee does not accept renewal, the Grown- pays the v a lius of the improvements. 'I he UUa-111, in the Case of the renew able lease or lease in perpetuity, can pay up to '•>() per cent of til :■ capital value of the land comprised i M his lease, when the rout w illl be proportionately rrchic'-d. Vi hen 50 per cent has been paid the tenant will hold, r. e of ci/mlilinns other than rent, resell' nee, and liability for commission of waste. Any amount paid over s'l per cent will be refunded on application. Jhe moneys ptid under these provisions -are paid into the -.lands tor ■iL-ulements ace,omit, w'hiih pays. interest to the consolidated ivwn.ie at tho rate of 1 per ei»t. The general provisions of lease in perpetuity apply to lit; iMi-ewable lease. (Jwners of leases inperpetuiiy may sui render tlu-ir lenses and obtain renewable leases. 'the owndz of lease in perpetuity may purchase the freehold at -a price equal to the capital value of the laud at tho time Lite purchase machinery is set up for giving 'cllVet to this provision., and the value of the laud is -determined by arbitration. On such purchase tklease naturally determines. ’J he limitation of area provisions apply to land purchased under tills clause. In order to facilitate settlement, power is given to lk- -board, with the consent of the Minister, to provide that for a number of vears, not exceed.ng 111, no rent shall be payable under tile renewable lease. 'lire provisions following -Hie above arc largely machinery amendments -at a comparatively lum-eontentious nature. In the classification of land, third class is added wli-’ie a tenant is allow, d to hold up to .‘ilKMl' acres.

A ( laiise has Teen introduced where, by the Minister can consult! to the ladder of a pasturage lease or license cultivating a portion of his land t- > grow winter feed for stock, and also for ploughing a-nd laying -down grass on an additional area juol exceeding acn-s, and providing for such to reckon ns improvement for valuation purposes at the (enivimition of tkc Last', In tie- cases of ballot. (he landless shall have preference lover those who have land. The board may examine applicants before tint ballot, ami the successful applicant -shall be ineligible for live years after such (lispo-al. IV-.ii isio-ns are contained in Hi' l, Bill making clear ihe powers of executors on lh.-- deal'll of a h-s • e or k-'ens e vo t III) ( all boards may work ~n a imif.irm plan, and any un'erl.-iiiily ns to procedure which nun exist in llv minds of lh - public may in l removed. In connection with pari lE, which deals with land of settlement d a mis such lands are disposed of by way of Mu- ri-ueu-ahle lease. In these rases, him ever, the term of h-a-sr is Tl years

with perpetual right of nm-wal as liefl)le, ’Jli.. ns, lal <.( til- first base is to bit not, Ins* than 5 |*or t-vul on tbs capital value. At the wid of <aeh term a new rental is assessed as in each ease of Hie <T- years' louse. Mb .re lund for settlements lauds are dispos. d of they will lie disposed of by way of public tender to lb- bigh-

rst tenderer, subject to the pro\ ishnn as to minimum rental. b-' ease of tenderers for the same amount, the sueeesHful one js detenu lived by, ballot. Ki'gulations are to bn drawn up laying down the procedure 'for the ballot. 7* taking land compulsorily under th ■ act, its value is assessed as on tiio viiluatii"ii roll in force ’at the, time wh-ii the regulation is gazetted, provided that any increase in value since, die date of valuation can be ase-r----1 allied and added. Tbo owner shall be paid as compensation, in addition to lh- value, the following sum* ; —H lh- property exceeds .C 30,000, -A per real ; if under .C,>0,1)00 ar.il over .C-io.IJIIO, '."> per cent ; under C2o,DDD, ID in r cent.

Minor provisions are inserted to smooth the working of Ike net generally.