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Lease-in-perpetuity land purchased'under the provisions of the Land Laws Amendment Act is subject to the same restrictions as r occupation-with-right-of-purchase land alienated since November, 1907, but it is doubtful whether the restrictions of Part XIII of the 1908 Act are sufficient to prevent all undue aggregation, because much of the land originally classed as second class would now be considered first class ; owing, however, to its original classification it can be held up to 2,000 acres by one person without any infringement of the law. It is also manifest that small holdings of first-class land can be aggregated up to 666 acres even in the vicinity of the towns, where from 10 to 50 acres would support a family. It is extremely difficult to conceive any law that would restrict all undue aggregation by individuals and families without being too restrictive and irksome, but it may be deemed worthy of consideration whether it would not be equitable to burden the freehold of lease-in-perpetuity land with.increased restrictions in return for the privilege the lessees have obtained by being allowed to purchase it. I suggest that the area of converted lease-in-perpetuity that may be held by one person in the vicinity of towns should not exceed 300 acres without the Minister's consent, or, as an alternative, that the Minister's consent must be obtained before such land can be sold to any but landless persons. T. N. Bbodebick, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor. Approximate Cost of Paper — Preparation, not given ; printing (1,400 copies), £2 10s.

By Authority : John Maokay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l3. Piice 3d ]

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