Land Settlement Promotion and Land Acquisition Act (No. 34 of 1952).

An Act to provide for the closer settlement of farmland, for the acquisition of farmland that is, or, when subdivided and developed, will be, capable of substantially increased production, to prevent the undue aggregation of farmland, and to require that, for a period of 3 years from the passing of this Act, persons acquiring farmland shall personally reside on the farmland. The Minister of Lands is given the power to take farmland for settlement of landless discharged servicemen and others requiring land for agricultural purposes, except Maori land, in cases where sufficient land may not be acquired by voluntary negotiation (sect. 3). Owners or occupiers of such lands are given the right to retain portions of land and to make objections. Persons having an interest in lands so taken are entitled to compensation according to sections 9-19 which spell out the procedures for applying for compensation. Part II deals with the control of sales and leases of farmland to prevent undue aggregation and ensure personal residence. The Land Valuation Tribunal must have given its consent to applications for land transactions in order to make these legal, although sections 24 and 35E list those cases in which such consent is not required, for example when the purchaser or lessee has not, after the passing of this Act transferred, granted, leased, or otherwise disposed of any estate or interest in farmland to any person as a trustee for any person or created any trust in respect of any estate or interest in farmland.