§ Mr. P. WHITEasked whether the Estates Commissioners, in making advances to tenant purchasers for the acquisition of their holdings, impose any obligations against the cutting of timber; if so, whether it will now be waived, having regard to the shortage of tonnage; whether any farmer cultivating his percentage of tillage will be encouraged to fell the timber surrounding the cultivated portion; and if the Government will fix a standard price at which to purchase all timber felled to accelerate tillage?
§ Mr. DUKEWhen advances are made by the Estates Commissioners under the Land Purchase Acts the attention of tenant purchasers is directed to the restrictions contained in the Acts as regards the cutting of timber. It is not proposed to encourage tenant purchasers to cut timber, but if timber interferes with the cultivation of the land any reasonable application to cut would be favourably considered by the Department of Agriculture. The question of price is one presumably for the owner, but I believe prices are at present very high.