Land Laws.

These are most liberal, and so adapted that all classes may be able to acquire land for their use and benefit. The man of moderate means may purchase the freehold for cash or on deferred payments, or take up an area under perpetual lease on most favourable conditions, while the poor man has the option under the homestead system of acquiring a small farm without any payment whatever for the land. The capitalist may purchase for cash at the lowest possible price, but he must apply in the same way, and at the same time, as the man with less capital, who may wish to take up the same on deferred payment, and as the man who requires all his cash to work and stock his land, who may wish to take it up on perpetual lease. Suppose, then, three selectors made their applications on the same day for the right to occupy the same piece of land; the matter will be decided by ballot, which, it will be admitted, is equally fair to each. Deferred payment selectors have from five to fourteen years in which to pay for their land, by equal half-yearly instalments, or they may exchange the title to a perpetual lease if so desired. Under this latter system selectors obtain an indefeasible title with perpetual rights of renewal, and thus they have all the advantages of freehold tenure with the value of their improvements secured, without requiring to sink their capital in buying the land. The annual rent by law established is 5 per cent., or is. in the £ on the capital value. Under the homestead system any person of the age of eighteen and upwards may select from seventy-five to fifty acres, according to quality of the land, and on fulfilment of the conditions—which are a five years' residence, the erection of a house, and the cultivation of one-third of the selection if open land, or one-fifth if bush land—the Crown grant is issued. It must be borne in mind that this latter system renders it impossible for any able-bodied industrious family to be destitute, while it affords a substantial reward for thrift, energy, and perseverance.