asked the Minister for Fisheries whether he is aware that in the case of owners of parcels of untenanted lands held under fee-farm grant, renewable leases, or leases for long terms, who have lodged applications under Section 11 of the Land Act, 1927, and who owe arrears of rent prior to the first gale in the year 1924, landlords are now instituting proceedings to recover these arrears, and whether, as Section 11 (3) of the Act provides that the vendor shall not be liable for arrears prior to first gale day in the year 1924, provided his application is accepted by the Land Commission, he will have all such proceedings stayed pending the decision of these applications.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - OWNERS OF UNTENANTED LANDS AND RENT ARREARS.
The applications under this section are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible; but it must be remembered that until each application is heard and determined by the Land Commission the applicant is not entitled to claim the benefit of the Section. There is obviously no reason, however, why the party sued should not himself, in his own interest, bring to the notice of the Court the fact that proceedings under Section 11 of the Land Act, 1927, are pending before the Land Commission.
The Land Commission has no power to stay proceedings between parties in another court.