THE LAND BILL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 8, 4 October 1907, Page 6

THE LAND BILL.

OPENING OF THE DEBATE. HMSTERS EXPLAIN THB TOIICY. ; ; / - \ CRITICISM BY MR. MASSEY. Tho Legislative Council devoted • Oho greater part of yesterday afterUoon to a discussion of the' Fire brigades Amendment Bill, - , which passed its second reading and was referred to the . Joint Statutes Revi- , cion Committee. Tho Police Offences . Bill'passed through;committee. ' In tho Lower Houso Mr. A. R. ; Barclay hold to his right to continue ■ tho debate on the ; Public- Service " ' ■Reform Bill. The " previous question" was moved beforo.the discus- > sion could become general, but though tho seconder of this motion was a i Government whip, 1 .and the Premier ' supported it with tho expressed' de- • -gire to get on with the second, reading of; the-Land Bill, tho vote went Btrongly in favour of/ continuing the 'debate. ;Cries of gag " had, mean- - while, issued ■■'■from the Opposition .:•■■■■ bonohes; : The. first ■ reading of the Bill was eventually carried. ; In the evening the Hon. R. M'Nab ' fras at last able to'proceed'with his Land Bill. He was greeted with liberal applause. ' His speech at first ' dragged somewhat, but became more 7 vigorous and to the : point as he warmed to the subject. Following ■ him came Mr. Massey, who spiritedly criticised/ the Bill- and the Goverrijncnt's land policy, and Sir Joseph ' iWard in. turn replied to the Oppo- ■ 1 leader's arguments. ' After this V the debate was continued -halfheartedly till 12.30 a.m.,-when progress was reported. '