SMALL FARMS

Evening Star, Issue 23376, 20 September 1939, Page 2

SMALL FARMS

AMENDMENT BILL BEFORE HOUSE OPPOSITION CRITICISM [Tiai United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 19. The discussion on the second reading, of the Small Farms Amendment Bill was continued when the House resumed after the tea adjournment at 7.30, Mr WV J. Poison stating that the Bill took the country a further step along the road to State farming and socialisation of land. The present was a time when controversial legislation should be dropped and something should be done for the backblock farmers. Mr Coates claimed that the Minister could have given the settlers the freehold of their sections while not giving them the right to sell without the Minister’s permission. The Hon. P. Langstono (Minister of Lands) interjected that it was not possible under the present law. The Minister' of Labour (the Hon. P. 0. Webb) said he was sure the policy of the present Minister of Lands would prove of inestimable benefit to the country, and would result in thousands more acres of land being brought into production. He hoped to bo able to announce shortly that 5,000 more men were being engaged on clearing up farm lands. At 10.20 p.m. the debate was adjourned and the following Bills were introduced by Governor-General’s message and read the first time■ Lower Clutha (River Amendment Bill, Native Purposes Bill, and Local Legislation Bill, the last-named being the usual “ washing-up ” Bill, which was referred to the Local (Bills Committee. The Native Purposes Bill contains a number of miscellaneous clauses relating to Native affairs.