WEST COAST LEAGUE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 10614, 14 May 1896, Page 2

WEST COAST LEAGUE.

DEPUTATION TO THE COLONIAL

TREASURER.

After the Hon. J. G. Ward's meeting on Tuesday night, a deputation of the Vreat Coast Leagno waited on that gentleman at tho Criterion Hotel to represent the ideas of the Loaguo as to the administration of tho Coast Reserves. Mr Jas. J. Elwin, chairman of the League, introduced Messrs W. J. Wells, G. V- Tate, and R. Snell to the Hon. Col. Treasurer, who received them most courteously.

Mr El win pointed out that the League had Lxjui brought into existence owing to the Act of 1892 being a temporary and incomplete measure, and not sufficient to ensure the prosperity of the owners or tho tenants. Tho legislation of last year in the matter of fencing, Insurance, and Native Rates, proved something still to be dono towards an equitable adjustment of the matter. Tho valuation as made by the Trustee practically robbed the settlers of their improvements, in many cases to largo amounts. These valuations were without redress, and were indefeasible valuations of lands and were made on a basis of present value, and indirect improvements were seized by the Public Trustee for the benefit of the estate, whereas the leases distinctly placed all improvements at the bolo ownership of the tenant. Mr El win pointed out that by allowing their servant to pursue this course, the Government were stultifying themselves, and their assertions of a desire to settle the lands so as to have a comfortable and industrious tenantry, wore so much wind. The now leaseholders -were now not affected by this matter, but at th« expiration of their leases all their improvements would in their turn bo confiscated. Mr Elwin showed that no matter to whom letters were sent on this business, whether to the Hon. tho Premier, tho Minister for Lands, or the Treasurer himself, the answer was invariably a long winded effusion consisting of sheets of type written verbiage composed by the Trustee himself, although signed by various Ministers. Mr W. J. Wells explained in detail many instances in which the tonanfc has ! , been required to lose the benefit of his improvements, in his own case to the amount of £1600. Mr Snell said, as a new leaseholder, he had now no complaint, but he could see that unless further legislation took place he would suffer at the termination of his lease. Mr Tate -would assure *h« Treasurer that, did time permit, he was prepared to point out cases of oppression, and he could endorse all the previous speakers had said. The Hon. Treasurer, in reply, said that he saw no chance of the reserves being placed under the Land Board, but that the leaseholders had reason to complain that the valuation were arbitrary. He considered himself the intention of the Act was that valuations should be made on tho prairie or upset value »f tho lands and to give the tenant the whole of the improvements, and that tho lease should be in perpetuity ; he thought the League stood a very fair chance of obtaining legislation on these lines. The deputation, in thanking the Treasurer, pointed out that the action of the Trustee was very considerably affecting the position of the Government in the districts.