CROWN LEASE TRANSFERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14222, 13 June 1910, Page 6

CROWN LEASE TRANSFERS.

To the Editor of the '•Timaru Herald.'' ii.r,—ln your leader of Thursday I see, in criticising tnc.se transieis you are in the same dilemma as everybody else. The auction is not satisfactory, neither is the ballot—ne.tiler iiecos out the speculator. May 1 make a suggest.on. It given ed'ecl to, 1 think ,t would do away with a cons.dcraide deal of this changing of lessee;, uuii large goodwills being paid. Every system of tenure should he for a fixed term of 21 years or so. with the right of subdivision, ii necessary, at the end of that term. The lessee ;n possession to have the right of renewal for all time of the homestead part at a revaluation. There is no doubt this subdivision at the end of fixed periods is absolutely necessary as population increases. But the clause I would ask to be inserted in the lease that 1 think would to a certain extent kill the large goodwill business is, no transfers for five years, and whenever a transfer w -.3 made after five years, the Land Board to have the right to further subdivide, whenever they thought fit. The risk of this subdivision at anv time I thin!;: would materially lessen' the goodwill. and I am sure we would have a more permanent and better tenanev. 1 will be pleased, Lter on. to give'more details of my s.uggesc ; ei!. — I am. etc., KOBEUT GLTHUJe'. [Mr Guthrie must have read the leader he refers to hurriedlv. it is not the ballot that makes the' speculator, but the transfer, and we recommended —or rather approved of a recommendation—that transfers should cease e'orv le see desiring to give u-> his holding surrendering it 'to the Hoard. Mr Guthrie's suggested power to mil;divicle should of cour e be vested in the Board doing its lr-t in tlio interests of the public, a-- uell as 1 he power to alter the rental—Ed ■"(• [X "j