HOUSE DEBATES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20049, 22 September 1939, Page 4

HOUSE DEBATES

MEASURES PASSED SMALL FARMS RILL OPPOSITION CRITICAL AGRICULTURE CONTROL RECLST RATION OF NURSES press Association.) WELLINGTON, tills day. The: debate on the second reading of the Small Farms Amendment Bill was continued in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr. A. N. Grigg (Nat., Mid-Canterbury), who protested against the elimination of 'lie rights of settlers on small farms to obtain the freehold of their properties. The principle of the freehold had been firmly established in New Zealand, lie said, and the Government required a good reason before taking away the rights which had been granted to the people by its predecessors.

' Mr. J. N. Massey (Nat., Franklin) contended that it was essential to encourage an increase in primary production, and that could best be done by placing no unnecessary restriction on the rights of the people willing to farm the land. He held that the ultimatum issued by the Minister of Lands required the settlers either to sign leases for their properties or to walk oil their holdings. The Minister was denying the settlers the rights which were enjoyed by other sections of the community, and he had not put foryard a convincing argument in support of his encroachment on the rights of individuals. Mr. H. G. Dickie (Nat., Patea) said that in view of the war men might soon be coming back to New Zealand, and he urged that the lands for settlement scheme should be used for~the purpose of closer settlement. Freehold versus Leasehold Mr. li. S. S. Kyle (Nat., Riccarton) expressed the opinion that the policy of freehold versus leasehold had been settled in New Zealand in 1912, when the Massey Government had come into office. The present Government was always changing its policy, he said, and at the next elections, if it found the people favoured the freehold they might find the Government turning round and favouring that policy. The pledge which had been made by tire previous Government to settlers "under the small farms scheme should be honoured by the present Administration.

The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, also urged that the pledge made to settlers under the small farms scheme, that they would be granted the freehold of their properties, should be honoured. He said that if the Minister would protect the rights of settlers who were in possession of their properties at (he end of 1935, when, legislation was on the Statute Book promising them (heir freehold, then the Opposition would withdraw its criticism of the Bill. The Minister had been very sure that leasehold was better than freehold, and that 95 per cent of the settlers under the small farms scheme would accept the leasehold. Why, then, was he so afraid to give others the opportunity of securing the freehold?

Stonewalling Denied

The bill passed its second reading on the voices, and the short title was being discussed in committee when the House adjourned at 5.30. Continuing the discussion on the short title in committee, when the House resumed in the evening, the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, pointed out that the country was at war and he did not know what Ul c people listening .in would think of members wasting time in discussing “chicken feed” like this. Government voices: It is the Opposition’s fault. You are stonewalling the bill.

Mr. Hamilton: Nonsense. If the Government wanted to get on with the business it would apply the closure and put the bill through.

Mr. Fraser said he had been in somewhat of a dilemma over the business of the House for the evening and had been awaiting guidance. Now it appeared he had got it from the Leader of the Opposition. It was true that the financial legislation would not be ready until next Tuesday. He had not wished to deprive the Opposition of the opportunity for fair discussion on the measure, but the Leader of the Opposition had practically accused the Government of a dereliction of duty in not applying the closure. (Laughter.) Mr. W. J. Poison (Nat., Stratford): You don’t need to apply it. We will let it go through directly Wish of Mr. Fraser Mr. Fraser said that all he wanted to do was to have the bill passed that night. If it did not appear likely this would he done, he would have to adopt Mr. Hamilton’s suggestion and move that “the question be now put ” (Laughter.) The short title was passed without further discussion, as were the next three clauses. Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Nat., Waitomo) moved an amendment to clause 5. to the effect that the sub-clause stating that “a lease shall not confer on the lessee any right to acquire the fee-simple of any land comprised therein” be deleted. The amendment went to the vote and was defeated by 3fi votes to 22.

Mr. Hamilton moved another amendment to the same clause, to retain the right of lessees to the freehold as provided under the original Act. This was also defeated by 37 votes to 22.

The bill then passed the committee stages without further discussion, was given its third reading and passed.

The Agricultural Emergency Regulations Confirmation Bill was read the second time.

In moving the committal of the Nurses and Midwives’ Registration Bill, the Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Fraser, explained the provisions of the hill, stating that the two years’ period of training for nursing aids would count as one year’s training in a three-year course for the regular nursing service.

Opposition members welcomed the measure, stating that it Would prove of great benefit to smaller hospitals and would provide a fruitful field from which nurses could be recruited. The NtiVscs and Midwives’ Kegistra-

lion Bill was put, throng'll all stages and passed, as was the Agricultural Emergency* Regulations Amendment Bill.

Two clauses Were introduced by the Governor-General’s message to the Local Legislation Bill and were referred to the Local Bills Committee. The House rose at 10.30 until 10.30 a.m. to-day,