THE LAND BILL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13483, 24 July 1907, Page 5

THE LAND BILL.

DISPOSAL OF THE ENDOWMENT

LANDS.

(Telegraphed by Our Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, July 23.

The Government Land Endowment Bill does not state already upon what terms the nine million acres of land proposed to be reserved is to be leased. Some conf usion has arisen in the minds of members as the result of this and several interpretations have been placed on the clause which provides for the leasing of the land. Speaking to a Lyttelton Times reporter this afternoon, the Premier said the idea of the Government was that the? land should tte let on a sixty-six years lease with the right of renewal at a revaluation for periods of thirty-three years.

"This proposal may be modified," he said, " but a long lease will be necessary because a good deal of the endowment lands will be bush country and will have to be broken in by tenants. Tho present intention of the Government is to give a sixty-six years lease for a start."