Land Administration.

The colony, it had been said, had got better land laws than in the past. The present land law was not so advanced as the land law of 1885. The only change that had been practically made was that, in order to obtain the unearned increment, they issued leases for 999 years at a fixed rent. There was no chance of getting unearned increment until that period had expired. If they had to wait till then they might as well abolish it. In comparison to this sir robert went on to cite the perpetual lease system, by which a lease for 30 years was issued, and at the end of that time the land was valued again. If there was any increase in the value of the land not brought about by improvements the state got the benefit of it; if there had been decrease in value the farmer got the benefit. Therefore it was fair for both. (Applause). There was no liberal in the room who would venture to say that [unclear: calling] a 999 years' lease could benefit the state. ('Of course,' and 'Give the farmers a freehold.') It would be far better to give freeholds straight out than to have a humbugging lease of 999 years. (Applause.) He held it was the duty of the state to keep a grip on its land. (Applause.) One of the greatest curses of the farmer when he got a freehold was that he had to go to the money lender; the ideal of farming life was where there was no mortgage at all, and it was far better for the state to have a lease of the land. He did not believe that the mortgage system that had been encouraged by the state was at all beneficial to the farmers. (Hear, hear.)