THE LAND COMMISSION

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1370, 3 February 1905, Page 2

THE LAND COMMISSION

VIEWS OF LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

d A New Zealand Herald reporter had a ” chat on Monday with Mr W. F. Massey, “ Leader of the Opposition, regarding the Royal Commission just appointed to investigate and report on the land question. Asked to express his views on the personnel of .the Commission, Mr Massey said : “ I believe the Commission is not representative of both sides of the question, for, while I do not know one of them to bo a strong freeholder, there are several strong anti-frGoholders, notably Mr Paul . and Mr Forbes. At last Trades Union I Conference, held in April, 1904, Mr Paul I moved a resolution in favor of abolishing the salo of Crown lands, and tho periodical revaluation of lands held on lease.” “Do you think the Commission will be of any value ? ” ||‘ Ido not. It will probably cost some thousands of pounds, and I do not think the roport will bo worth as many farthings. I believe it is simply intended to shelve the question till after the next general election. I have no doubt that the Commission will recommend that certain restrictions be removed, but an at- , tempt will be made to evade the main i question, which is whether the settlers t should have the right to acquire the freehold of the lands they occupy.” 8 “Do you think the time given is suf- v ficient for the work tho Commission has to |- P do?” f

“ If they are to inquire at all they should have at least six months to travel round the country, and hear evidence from the people interested in the land question, especially from Crown tenants. But, really, there was no necessity for a Commission, because Parliament is quite competent to deal with the whole question, and, if necessary, the opinions of the Crown tenants as to whether they prefer leasehold to free* hold might have been obtained by post within a fortnight.