CONFERENCE OF LAND BOARDS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11422, 2 December 1904, Page 5

CONFERENCE OF LAND BOARDS.

(Per United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, December lll. 1 At ' the Land Conference, the Minister . of Lands, in the proceedings, congratulated the Boards upon being so largely represented. The ' Conference iras one of the most "important .that had taken place in the history of the colony, since it was essential that the- conditions under which lands are settled sh<hll<l be'the Best possible, and carried out' with the least possible amount of .friction, so that the settlers might, be contented, happy, and prosperous! ' .He courted the fullest discussion upon all .matters brought .-before the Conference, t and urged" those present to. speak freely, and Unreservedly, . as it was the sole desire of the Government to obtain the opinions of the members of the boards who administer the r Land Act, and, as the result of their experience, are perfectly competent. to say, in what direction amendments are necessary or 'desirable. The matters discussed by the Conference to-day were7-{l) i The- question 'of whether Crown, tenants" labour under any restrictions inimical to' their well-being and unnecessary in the interests of the State ; (2) are the residential conditions too exacting, and do they relaxing; (3) the working of the present ballot system and dealing, with .applications , for lands. Various alterations ,in T .i:he law; were suggested, one of the, -most' important being in the direction of giving the Land Boards greater discretionary powers • thin they ' at present possess. . *'■ - '••" '