"The object of this publication is to afford in a succint form a summary of the legislation that has been passed since the foundation of the colony dealing with the administration and disposal of the lands of the Crown. Brief references are made to public reserves, but the laws relating to Native lands or freehold lands are not included in it. In order to explain these laws came to be passed, this introduction will show how responsible government was established, and how the New Zealand Legislatures dealt with the many problems that faced them"--Page 7.