THE LAND BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1869, 26 September 1906, Page 3

THE LAND BILL.

•— —e— —— LIMITATION OF AREA.

I « «n Special to the Times. Wellington, last night. It is being freely stated in the lobby that the Goverument will abandon the 1000 acre limit in the Land Bill in favor of a value limit. This, while it may bs slightly more acceptable to a number of people interested, will not, however, get over the difficulty in regard to mortgages, In the House of Representatives tnday Mr Field gave notice to ask the Minister of Lands, for the information of tho publio generally and paiticularly of peisona seeking to acquire Crown or native land, many of whom aro at prosent in a state oi hopelois nncritiinty as to whether they held the presOcibed limit of area rr nos, whether Government will furnish tho truo definition (if ono exists) cf first class land, and whether the true test is that inferom tially laid down by tho Land Aot, 1892, viz , that first-class laud is land tie unimproved va’uo of which is ”£1 per acre upwards ” ? The Laud Bill was further considered by tho Lands Committ-o to day, aid thoro is now a fair prospect (hut next week will seo the second reading debate in full swing. It is almost certain that an amondmmt wiil bo moved, but though this may bo very awkward for a number of members who are now uodsrslGo.l to bo supporting the Bill, it is not likely to be oirried. Tae Government should have a majority of about nine on tho second reading.