The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-12-15
LAND SYSTEM or new
ZEALAND IS SPLENDID
In 1890 New Zealand Was In an
Industrial Crisis, But
Found Way Out.
Claimed That It's Present Laws
Brought About Its Great
Prosperity.

In 1890 New zealand was In an IN
dustrial crisis; the unemployed filled
her streets, and those who could were
leaving the colony. Today New Zea-
land is considered by some to be the
most prosperous country in the world
Many ascribe this to her recently
adopted land system. We condense
an account of this recently. sent us
by s. Percy Smith, F. r. G. s. (New
Zealand Official Year Book, 1869 He
says in brief:
The Crown lands Of New Zealand
are administered under 1.-The Land Act,
1922 together with it's amendments
and the regulations made hereunder.
The distinguishing features involve
the principle of state ownership Of the
soil, with a perpetual tenancy in the
occupier. In fact, very large proper
ton Of the Crown lands are now dis
posed of for 800 years. The rentals
are based on the assessed value Of
the lands at the time Of disposal, with
out increasing or recurring valuations.
Under this system there Is a f1xity Of
tenure practically equal to freehold,
and which, like freehold, necessarily
carries with it the power Of sale, sub
lease, mortgage, or disposition by will.
At the same time the improvements
made in the soil by cultivation, etc.,
are secured to the tenant, should he
from any cause be obliged to forfeit
or surrender his lease.
Again, underlying the whole of the
New Zealand land system is further
application Of the principle Of "the
land for the people" viz: the restric-
ton in area which any man may hold
The quantity that selector may hold
is fixed so as to encourage the class
Of moderate farmers, at $40 acres Of
f1rst-c GLASS; or 1000 acres Of second
class land. Land is offered under three
different tenures.
CD Cash, in which one-flfth Of the
purchase money is paid down at once,
and the remainder within thirty days.
The final title is not given until cer-
tain improvements have been made on
the land.
CD Lease with a purchasing clause,
at a per cent rental on the value
of the land; the lease being for twenty
five years, with the right to purchase
at the original upset price at any time
after the first ten years and within
twenty-five years, or to convert into
lease in perpetuity
CD Lease in perpetuity, at a rental
of per cent on the capital value.
THE Land Act, 1892" provides for
special class of settlement called
small-farm associations which found
favor with the public to a very con-
siderable extent during the first three
years after the act of 1892 came into
force, but is now superseded. to
large extent by the improved farm
settlement system.
In 1904 there were 657 selectors,
holding 119,959 acres under various
tenures and in different parts of the
country. Many Of the settlements,
which were carefully selected, are do
ing we'll. Others where long and ex-
pensive roads have to be made to
them, are as yet not very productive,
and many selections have b en- aban-
doned.
The village settlement system of
New Zealand has excited much in
quiry. This system provides: list,
villages of one acre sections; End,
small farms of 100 acres. There has
not been any great extension Of this
system in recent years. In 1904 there
were 1,747 settlers holding 1878 acres,
and the total number Of persons re-
siding in these settlements was 1850
and 497 nonresident, the amount adj
vanced by government for houses,
clearing, etc being 1915 pounds, of
which 4,234 pounds had been returned.
The total value of improvements on
the lands at the same date was 49,
265 pounds.
The improved farm settlement sys-
tenn was first begun in order to find
work for the people. In most cases
the farms are selected or balloted for
in their primitive state, and the set
tier is for time paid for the improve
| ments he makes, or, in other words.
the cost Of converting forest lands in
to grass lands Is advanced from time
| to time by the government. In other
| cases a piece of forest land is taken
in hand, and men are employed at
fixed rates in telling, burning and
grassing. The farms are let on lease
In perpetuity al a rental sufficient to
cover the cost of clearing, etc., to-
gether with a fair rental of the land.
Up to March, 31st 1904, 50 SETTLE
ments had been allocated, covering an
area of 90,323 acres, situate in various
parts OF the colony. At that date 558
| settlers had been allotted sections, who.
together with their families numbered
1922 persons who were residing on
the lands. They had felled and grass
ed 1858 acres. The amount paid to
the settlers up to the 31st Of March,
1904, was Sd, 1877 pounds, and total
value of improvements on the land
Qncluding the government advances)
was 106,416 pounds.
The size Of holdings average about
lis acres. 1892 a bill instituted 1.-THE
Land for Settlement Act" authorized
the purchase from private individuals
of suitable properties for sub division
into farms.
Lands may also be taken compul-
sorily in cases where the board can
not agree with the owner. as to price,
ETC., and where the governor in council