THE LAND LAWS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 868, 14 July 1910, Page 6

THE LAND LAWS.

GOVERNMENT'S NEXT MOVE. VALUATION METHODS DISCUSSED. LOCAL BODIES' FINANCE. Unusual interest attached to tho debates in Parliament yesterday in both Chambers, in the Legislative Council (he Hon. Dr. Findlay made an interesting speech on the land question, while (ho Hon. J. Rigg seemed to support an impression held by certain members that tho Government will bring down a Freehold Bill. In the House the most important discussion in the afternoon look place on Iho Government's system of valuations. In tho evening there was a keen debate on the second reading of Mr. T. K. Sidey's Bill to exempt the Dunedin Corporation from tho necessity of investing sinking funds in Government securities, under the provision which was forced through tho House after three defeats by the Prime Minister last year. The Bill was strongly opposed by the Prime Minister, and the second reading was lost by 35 votes to So. About three, hours was then spent in discussing the second leading of Mr. Newman's Bill for the abolition of tho bookmaker, which also was opposed by the Government, the Prime Minister stating his intention to bring down legislation later in tho session which would deal separately with both the bookmaker and the totalisator. The discussion is reported in another column. Tho Bill was quashed at 1 a.m. by a motion for adjournment, which was carried by 37 votes to 28, most of the Government members voting for the motion. Tho House rose soon afterwards. Several minor Departmental reports were brought down during tho day.