TO THE EDITOR Off TUB NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —A committee or deputation of leaseholders of native lands aro going to interview Government regarding lands they hold on tho West Coast. They con tend it is fair for them to ask for tho same privileges as granted to the lease holders of native lauds in the Waimato— that their improvements should bo pro tected to £o per acre, which they think will mean for them a perpetual lease. Tho majority of settlors now living on our leased lands have paid a consider able bonus in most cases for the goodwill of tho lease to tho persons to whom it Was routed in the first instance, and surely if it paid them to give these high prices in tho face of the then existing arrangements, it would bo a great in justice tons who are receiving low rents to have this five pounds per acre improve ment clause taxed as now. Wo are quite prepared to allow the present leases.to run out, in tho terms as stated when lands were first leased, and then, as tho leases fall in, for them to come into tho market with tho improvement clause attached. Or, it they wish it, let the improvements be valued now (though not in any case to exceed two pounds per acre), tho lands to bo put to public competition at once, the present holders to be protected for what their improvements are valued at, and toreoeive that amount, should a new person come forward and bo prepared to pay us a higher rental than the present holders would. 