9091. Was the principle contained in the report of that board of the 28th April,1914, in respect to the maximum prices of land adopted in that Act? - It was adopted in carrying that Act into force to a large extent. The officers of the board who were appointed to go into the question of repricing prepared a map and divided the country up into zones, fixing the prices accordingly.

9092. After the Land Act of 1915 recommendations were made corresponding to those made by the board? - They were on the lines recommended. The total reduction under the Land Act Amendment Act of 1915 amounts to £369,619, and the relief to settlers by these reductions represents about £46,000 per annum. That is a serious loss of land revenue.

9093. We notice from Section (b) of paragraph 11 of the recommendations of the Lands Classification Board that they recommend that lands selected under residence conditions in the wheat area subsequent to the 31st December, 1909, may be exempted from rent for any period not exceeding five years during the currency of the lease proportionately extended. Has that relief been extended? - It has been provided for in the Act of 1917. Section 4 of the Land Act Amendment Act of 1915 says -

   In respect of any land held under conditional purchase lease coming within the meaning of this Act and which is more than twelve and a half miles from an existing railway, the Minister may defer the payment of rent for any period up to five years, and may extend the term of the lease, subject to the preceding section. 

Section 19 of the 1917 amending Act as follows: -

   In respect of any land held under conditional purchase lease to which this Act applies, and situate more than twelve and a half miles from a station or siding of a railway, the Minister may in his discretion defer the payment of rent for any period not exceeding five years, and may extend the term of the lease, subject to the like provisions as are contained in the last preceding section. In special cases to be approved by the Minister this section may be applies to land situated within twelve miles and a half of a station or siding of a railway.

The terms are made a little more liable under the later Act.

9094. Under what terms does the State sell agricultural land to-day under the last legislation as apart from grazing leases or poison leases? - We classify it and price it as before, but we are limited now under the Act to a maximum of 15s, except in special cases. For the first five years of the lease it is rent free, except that interest and the cost of survey, or the value of any improvements on the land have to be paid. The lease is extended accordingly so that our minimum term of the lease will be 25 years instead of 20. Where the price is more than 10s. an acre the term of the lease is extended, until the 25s. an acre man gets a term of 30 years.

9095. Under what terms does the State sell grazing land under the latest legislation? - The terms are the same as with the other land except that the price is lower. The conditions are a little different. The minimum is 25 years, and the maximum 30 years. Where the price is over 10s, an acre, the term of the lease can be extended a little further. That is provided in the 1915 Act. According to the price so do we extend the terms. The idea was that everyone should pay 6d. per acre.

9096. The terms are so extended that by the payment of 6d. per acre per annum the land is finally paid for? - Yes, unless the price exceeds 15s. an acre. We have no power to extend the lease over 30 years, but there is power in special cases to price land at more than 15s. an acre. I do not think that will often be done, at all events under the present Minister.

9097. What is the maximum term in respect to grazing leases? - The term may be said to be 25 years, because in nearly every case the price is not more than 10s. an acre.

9098. On what terms does the State now sell poison country?? - There is no special section dealing with that. It is only a matter of reducing the price. It will be sold under the same conditions as the other land is sold. It may be ordinary C.P. or grazing land. Poison land can be sold at 1s. per acre under the latest Act.

9099. Does the State still provide for pastoral leases in agricultural areas? - Yes. The rental in the South-West division is £1 per thousand acres per annum.

9100. Has the lease any security of tenure? - Not much. If anyone applies for a selection within a man's holding, and the holding is granted, it is automatically taken out of his pastoral lease. If the Government wish to take an area and subdivide it and throw it open for selection, they have to give the owner of the lease three months' notice, He can then claim the value of any improvements on the land.

9101. Has the system whereby, in connection with pastoral leases, the incoming purchaser takes possession of the land and pays the owner of the lease the value of the improvements he has effected, worked well, or has there been friction? - There has been a good deal of trouble in that respect. If there are any improvements on the land the leaseholder puts in his claim and the selector is called upon to pay the amount, or if he thinks the payment is excessive he can appoint an arbitrator and the matter goes to arbitration.

9102. Do you not think that this is a condition of things which the State might remedy? - There is not much of that done now. We can go in and survey the land, throw it open for selection, and we then become responsible. The cost of the improvements is put on the price of the land.

9103. You still have in the South-West division country which has never been occupied, and which is still awaiting occupation, and which you are not surveying? - Yes.

9104. Do you not think the State should have some form of tenure for that country, which the lessee might develop up to a certain stage, if his lease gave him a right to his improvements? - He can always take up the land under grazing lease conditions.

9105. What would be the case if the grazing lease conditions were too dear for the earning capacity of the land? - This land is very cheap now at 3s. 9d., and if there is poison on it we can still further reduce the price.