The Duke of Newcastle's despatch on the squatting question; despatch (no.126) from the Duke of Newcastle, Downing St, to Lieut Governor La Trobe, 1853-11-29

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On the extent of the rights of licensed occupants of Crown Lands in Victoria under the Order in Council of 9th March, 1847 and subsequent orders and regulations. Expects that general control of waste lands will soon be transferred from the Home to the local Government; lacks information on aspects of the leasing of land in the colony; satisfied that the circumstances of the colony have rendered the surveys which were considered essential for leasing impracticable - not fully appreciated beforehand; pastoralists should not have advantages over others in purchasing crown lands particularly for speculation and in holding up development; must consider if the present powers of the Government can be used to repress this abuse; the future leasing of unsettled land; grants and sales; consider that as population and settlement increase so land should be supplied for agriculture to support it; Government should be able to classify land as settled, intermediate and unsettled by an order in Council; question of private people extending their rights; the duration of leases; must assume the powers of the local government as far as advisable to provide an adequate supply of land to the community; the proposal of a stock assessment to replace present rates; necessary legislation. (58p.)

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