LAND TENURE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 12910, 15 July 1905, Page 3

LAND TENURE.

Ttt,E FREEHOLD. ,Wo avc lifmly of opinion that in the disposal, of what way, for distinction, be termed the ordinary Crown lands, the option of obtaining the freehold should be granted after fulfilment, as subsequently outlined, of the residential, improvement, and other condi-

tions ; this to apply to existing holcl- < ings as well as to those in future ; the payment to be gradual and extending over a term of years'; the in- ! stalm'Cnts to be £10 sterling or a multiple of £10 as may suit the settlers best at each half-year when the rent is due : no certificate of title to issue until all the purchase money is paid ; the rent to bo reduced proportionally to the payments made in reduction of the original price- of the land. The granting 1 of the right to obtain the freehold w'il-1 bo a source of great satisfaction to the laborious settlor struggling,, on from year to year, through . many obstacles and privations, to f-ounkl a home for himself and family. . . . "We are of opinion that there should be no variations whatever m the terms of .the contract already pntercd into between the State and the tenants, nor any variation in future contracts under the Land for Settlements Act. ... It seems almost v unnecessary to accentuate that there should be no infringement of contract as between the State amd its tenants; any serious attempt upon the inviolability of the "coraipact by the State or the State's tenantry is believed to be impossible in any British community. .Whilst this is the case, it would be unwisely conservative and non-progressive, not to aß'ect modification and changes which tii.-.e and experience has shown to be necessary to national advancement . and when such changes arc considered mutually advantageous' by the State and. the tenants. Legislation in the required direction clearly does , uot constitute a breach of contract. We recommend : (a) That the lease in perpetuity tenure under "The Land Act, 1892," remain oil the Statute Book. (b) That after the sixth year from date if leaseholders ot leases in perpetuity under ."The Laud Act. 1802," are desirous of doing so, they be permitted to fconrvert to occupation with, rig-ht of purchase tenure, upon payment of the- accumulated amount of 1 per cent cliflfeivnce in the rental between the two tenures, with compound j | interest added, .provided tho improvements required -witdim the first six years of occupation have been carried out, and also' "'provided the residence conditions have, in the opinion of tho Land Board, been complied with. (c) That"all lessees under the right of purchase option of "The Land Act, 1892," be permitted after ten- years' occupancy, and fulfilment of conditions, to pay off the capital vahio of their land in sums of £10 or any multiple of £10 upon the Ist January and Ist July in each year during currency the purchasing clause their ren- ' tals being proportionately reduced. (d) That changes under headings (b) t and (c) apply to presort »as well as future leases. ( (c) That undue aggregation of land from any source is undesirable and should bo guarded against by legislation. (f) Thai it bo understood that in parting/ witii land for agricultural and pastoral purposes the State retain all the mineral rights. JAaiES McKERROW. ROBERT HALL. WM. W. JLoCARDLE. W. A. MoCUTCKAN. WILL B. iM-ATBUERSON. (GUI r Matherson adds : "SMy signature is attached, hereto with the proviso that it does uot apply -to the para- I gralph relating to settlors on land for settlements. 1 am firmly of opinion j that such settlers should have the option given them of purchasing the freehold at the original upset price, as suggested for other Crown tenants.) •PASTORAL LANDS. Of course there mmst be no interference with the contracts entered into under the existing law, tout tho future lands taken on this tenure should be subject to resumption if required for closer settlement. VALUATIONS. The position is outlined with distinctness in Mr J. J. Elwiu's sworn statement in connection with the West Coast Settlement Reserves. A change is newssary, and in view of the importance of the matter careful attention is required. JAMES MctaUttOW. ROBERT HALL. W3I. W. McCARDIiE. W. A. IUcCUTCBMT. WILL B. MATJT.ERSON. J. M. JOHNSTON. A minority report set out objections to the freehold at considerable length and dealt with other subjects mentioned in the first report. Ili regard to education reserves this second report suggested that education reserves could well be administered by Land Boards, and with this the other members of the Commission agreed.