39
request the much more extensive concession granted in 1849 when
75 year leases were extended by 924 years.
14. The explanation of this shortsighted neglect of their own interests is probably that the lessees of that time were holders of comparatively new leases most of them only 20 years old or less and they realised that the question of renewal
would not arise in the lifetime of most of them.
15. There seems little doubt, also, that the text of a Secretary of State's Despatch No.132 of 23rd May, 1898, became generally known. As set forth in Mr. Philip Jacks's "Digest"
this reads:
~f
-
" (1x)
In future, leases of Crown land should be for periods not exceeding 75 years or at the cutside 99 years with suitable provisions to meet the objections raised by the Land Commission of 1886/87, viz., that the Crown should not at the expiration of leases con- fiscate the whole value of the tenants' improvements.
it (x)
No further leases for 999 years should be granted, at any rate without previous reference to the Secretary of State in each case.
it (xi) In the case of leases for 75 years, it should be definitely laid down that the original lessee or the assignee in possession, on the expiration of the term should be offered the renewal of the lease for the further term of 75 years upon such an advance of Crown Rent as is justified by the then value of the land and without fine, and that if the land should be resumed by the Government for any public purpose, compensation improvements and disturbance should be awarded to the lessee or assignee. Renewal for one term only: not in perpubuity. S
16.
Paragraph (xi) was undoubtedly taken to mean that lessees
~
More promised a renewal for a further term of 75 years upon such an advance of Crown rent as is justified by the ther
value of the land, and without fine.
17.
It has been suggested by Government spokesmen that these words refer to the terms of the 75 plus 75 year leases then about to be introduced but, even if that were so, leaseholders who saw themselves in an unfavourable position in between a specially favoured class of lessee granted a term for 999 years and another class with a term of 150 years, might well have supposed that no Government desired to treat them thus unfairly and that the words
desi
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