TYPE OF TENURE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20915, 21 September 1939, Page 2

TYPE OF TENURE

SMALL FARM SETTLERS | FREEHOLD STRONGLY ADVOCATED I QUESTION OF KEEPING FAITH (By TelegTaph.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Wednesday j Speaking duriDg the debate on the Small Farms Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr J. A. Allen (Opposition—Hauraki) , outlined the advantages of freehold (tenure. The Bill abolishes the compulsory purchase clause as contained jin the original Act. j “The Minister of Lands has told us j that he does not believe in giving a j freehold title, and we know from j statements that have been made by ,him in the past that he is opposed to the granting of freehold titles in any circumstances," said Mr Allen. "I believe it is arguable and very questionable whether the failure of any landsettlement scheme in the past has actually been due to the granting of the freehold title. I believe there is a magic about a freehold title, and it is my honest opinion that one will always get the best result by settling people on freehold land, j “I feel that leasehold title tends to restrict a man. to limit the efforts that I he is willing to put- into his farm, but I believe that if we give him a freehold title he will pay more attention jto his farming methods, he will take j more interest in his farm, and he will j ultimately turn a barren spot into a 'garden. I do not believe such results are attained under the leasehold ten- . urc. j The Minister of Lands, the lion. F. •Langstone: Many good farmers are on . leasehold lands, and are producing as well as those on freehold, j Mr Allen: That may be. but my contention is that people will always make better farmers if they have the opportunity that freehold tenure gives j them. Keeping Faith J “One of the important questions the House has to consider is the point j which has been raised by the hon. member for Waitomo (Mr W. J. jßroadfoot), that is, the question of | keeping faith with people who have j already settled on the land. I want jto refer to one land-settlement block in my district—the Whangamarino Island Block. This block was originally settled in 1933. Nine settlers were placed, and it was not until 1937 ' that they were given any leasehold tenure. These men were placed on i that land with a definite promise of [tenure, and they were given a ten j years lease in 1937. I have in my jhand a copy of one lease issued, and (Clause 13 of the lease reads: "That ! the lessee may at any time after the I expiry of four years from the date of I the commencement and during the [continuance of this lease, purchase the i fee simple of the said land at such price as may be determined in the manner provided by the Small Farms | (Relief of Unemployment) Act 1932133 (or any amendment thereof), and [any Regulations thereunder in force [at the time of such purchase of the fee simple.” “Section*6 of the amending Act of 11935 gave these settlers the power, at the end of ten years, to purchase their freehold for cash—the right | given in clause 13 of their leases—- | the right to the purchase of freehold lon a system of deferred payment; or [the right of a renewable lease. Clause 5 of the Bill extinguishes the right of freehold on a deferred payment system, or the right to purchase the freehold at a later date than after the expiration of the present lease; and it seems to me that this is not keeping faith with the settlers concerned. Settlers Concerned "Many of the settlers in the area ; referred to are much concerned regarding the Bill. A unanimous protest j bas been sent to me regarding the i provision to which I have just referred. The Minister said it was inj tended to give all such tenants the j new leasehold tenure, and I trust that ; the promise will be carried out. "There is another settlement in my district, the lloe-o-Tainui settlement [block. On that area twelve settlers i have been given houses and herds to ; enable them to make a start, and in addition about 25 men are employed on • developmental work under the supervision of a foreman. The occupants • of the houses desire to get some finality regarding the tenure they are to receive, and 1 hope that the Bill will ! do something for them. I do not see Show the Bill will enable suitable tenures to be granted to these people, but we can at least rest on the assur!anee of the Minister that these men : will get their leases. "I believe that any Government can j continue too long with schemes of 1 collective farming, and that is the j policy that has been adopted so far (as the settlement referred to is concerned. The settlers who are in the houses are milking herds of cows for the Grown and receiving at present a wage of £4 10s a week, from which is deducted house rent of 10s a week. Output Increased “A promise was made to them, a year ago at any rate, that they would [get some finally about their tenure ‘provided they were able to increase I production. J know of one mail on j this block who has succeeded in increasing production by at least 2,000 jibs, of butterfat in the twelve months [through the unstinted help which his | wife has given to him, and it does seem to me that men should be given j some security of tenure. I "It is time that he and others like [him who want it, were taken off the i collective farming system under which 'they are paid a weekly wage, and given 1 a chance to make their own way in j the world.”