MELBOURNE—THE LAND BILL.

Evening Post, Issue 63, 22 April 1865, Page 2

MELBOURNE— THE LAND BILL.

Contrary to tin » expectations of moat persons here, the Lai id Act Amendment Bill has actually become part and parcel of the law of the colony. Tltis desirable, although a few weeks ago scarcely hoped, 'for result, was brought about by' ail unwonted degree of concession to th c feelings and opinions of the Lower House and the general public out; of door?, on the p irt of the Legislative Council. The amendmer^s introduced into the measure

by that body, having been abnndoned to such an extent as to leave the bill substantially the same as it was when originally sent up from the the Assembly, the Governor affixed the royal assent to the Bill on the 23rd instant, and by about the beginning of May the agricultural areas will once more be open for selection. Notwithstanding the extra precautions which have been taken in the present Bill for the prevention of invasions of the law similar to those which took place to so great an extent under the Duffy Act, it is rumored that the harpies which hitherto have hovered over, and pounced down upon the choicest blocks of the agricultural lands of thec'lony, to the exclusion of the bonafi.le« settler, are once more upon the wing, and that they have already discovered flaws in the Act large enough to enable them, by fair means or foul, to seize their accustomed prey. Should this prove to be the ease, it is difficult to imagine what course r.ny Government; will be able to take to avoid such an undesirable consummation in the matter of the land policy ; and it would appear that the only prospect of coming to any equitable settlement of the question would be either by reverting to auction "pure and simple," or proclaiming free grass, free selection before and afler survey, and a general scramble for the possession of the soil, in which, according to the oid adage, the weakest would be sure to go to the wall.