House of Representatives.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 165, 24 July 1901, Page 2

House of Representatives.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) Wellington, last night. Tho House met at 10.30 a.m. The Shipping and Seamen’s Bill was read a first time. Mr Buddo resumed the debate on tho second reading of the Land for Settlements Act Amendment Bill. Ho strongly opposed the clause to give married mon a preference in taking up land. Ho deprocated the gambling which went on under tho Land for Settlements Act, and suggested the abolition of land transfers under the Act. Mr Herrics was sorry there was no provision to grant settlers the freehold. Mr Bennett opposed the clause giving preference to married men. Mr Napier regarded tho Bill as an attempt to suppress the evils of duminyism, especially by preventing a fictitious system of balloting. He was in favor of elective land boards. Mr Barclay condemned tho tho lease in perpetuity system, and said that, as tho value of land would persistently rise, tho people of tho colony would regret the day they allowed that system to becomo law. He condemned the feo-simple. ' ’ Mr Graham believed in the right of a parent when given notice of intention to take his land compulsorily to cut tip that land which he had worked hard for among his sons, rather than let it go to strangers'. He objected to giving preference jo inarried men. Mr Hornsby expressed his preference for the freehold system, provided there was every necessary safeguard against the aggregation of largo estates, Ho thought that before the back blocks were opened up thoy should be roaded. lie objected to the re-valuation of Crown lands, and said the working of the Valuation Department at present was a perfect scandal. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House resumed at 2.30 p.m. Tho second reading of tho Land for Settlement Act Amendment Bill was agreed to on the voices, and the Bill was committed forthwith.

No amendments had been made up to the 5.30 adjournment,

EVENING SITTING.

t The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. In committee, on tho Land for Settle- ! ments Act Amendment Bill, clause 6 was • amended,' on Mr Seddon’s motion, to provide that restrictions on subdivisions should' cease twelve month's after ‘rfoticp to acquire,' if the Governor did not proceed with the purchase. Clause 8, which proposed to give married men preference in leasing land, was struck mjt at (ho sug, gestion of the Premier, who said he would introduce a new clause to replace it. The Bill was still under consideration in committee when the House rose a t 10.30,