THE GOVERNMENT LAND POLICY-A CHALLENGE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 650, 29 October 1909, Page 3

THE GOVERNMENT LAND POLICY-A CHALLENGE.

Sir,—During tho debate oh tho Address-in-R-eply, the member for Lyttelton (Mr.. Geo. Laurenson) challenged. tho . Opposition leader (Mr. Massey) and Mr. the member for Mataura, to debate the land question before their constituents. Now, sir,.if the Government Whip desires to debate the Government's land policy ho need not go so'far afield as the Franklyn and Mataura. electorates. Despite the fact that tho Government organ here, the "Lyttolton Times," loudly boasts that nobody would dare to meet Mr. Laurenson in debate, I am prepared to make him the.-following offer: I will debate this proposition with him, that the Government's land settlement policy as embodied in their i land-purchase sohpmo and /graduated land) taxes is economically- unsound Rhd opposed to the general public interest, the debate to. take place, in Wellington at any time after the adjournment of the present Parliament or during tho next session as may suit Mr. Laurenson's convenience. I cannot find time in v the interim until then, as I am occupied with other matters. I agree to take the affirmative position if Mr. laurenson accepts this challenge. If ho declines, it is open to'any other' member on the Government side of the Houso, from the Prime Minister himself down.—l am, ' FRANK W. BUBKE. Waikari, October'2s. ■