All applications for the purchase of state lands and all applications for leases, whether for grazing, oil and gas, mining or other purposes, shall be made with ink or with typewriter using a record ribbon, upon forms to be prescribed by the commissioner of public lands. All applications shall be signed by original applicant or his agent or attorneys authorized by written power of attorney, shall be acknowledged before an officer authorized to administer oaths and shall be accompanied by application fees for oil and gas, mining, business leases, grazing leases and other purposes, as appropriate, in amounts set by the commissioner of public lands by regulation. The fees shall be deposited in the state lands maintenance fund. No state officer or employee of the state land office shall act as agent or attorney or procure another to act as agent or attorney for any application, but this act [19-1-23, 19-7-2 to 19-7-6 N.M. Stat. Ann.] shall not be construed so as to prevent the commissioner of public lands or any employee of the state land office from assisting applicants to make out their applications without pay.