CO129-604-1 Crown Leases 26-6-1946 - 5-9-1947 — Page 4

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Mr. J.B. Williams

I think that you ought to see this.

There

are two points that seem to me to require consideration in the policy and procedure for the grant of Crown Leases, outlined in the Press release.

First, while appreciating the reason for the adoption of the scales and values ruling in the period immediately before the outbreak of the Pacific War for the purpose of re-assessment of Crown rents and renewal premiums, I should have thought myself that a percentage increase would have been justified. (See paragraph 5(i) of the Press release).

Second, the remission of the premium up to one-half of the cost of rehabilitation in the case of war damage to buildings, seems to constitute special treatment for a particular class of property owners in respect of war damage.

As the Press notice outlining the policy and procedure in relation to Crown Leases, of which a copy is enclosed with the despatch, was issued on the 13th June and the policy and procedure have thus been announced, it is probably too late to make any substantiae modifications. The matter should, I think, have been referred to the Secretary of State before any Press announcement on the subject was made. As it is, I doubt whether we have much option but to approve the policy and procedure as announced.

However, I should be disposed to raise the above two points with the Governor, saying that we think that they should be further considered, but that if, in the circumstances, it would be difficult to modify the procedure and policy in either respect, in view of the notification already made to the Press, the Secretary of State is prepared to give his covering approval of the policy and procedure as outlined in the Press notification.

I see from the correspondence in 54051/40 - see especially the sub-enclosure to No.6 on that file that Mr. Caine took an active part in the discussion which took place in the Colony on this subject in 1939. He might, therefore, be interested to see this development. In any case, unless he is too busy, I should be very grateful for any views he may have to offer in the light of his previous knowledge. Perhaps you would, therefore, send the file to him.

14.

Wrangler

19.8.46.