LAND BILL CONDEMNED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1872, 29 September 1906, Page 2

LAND BILL CONDEMNED.

PROTEBI BY GREAT MEETING OF

FARMERS.

EVERY INDIVIDUAL IN COUNTRY

CONCERNED.

PRESS ASSOCIATION Feilding, laet night. Tbe largest mooting of farmers over held in this disiriot took plaoe to-day, when about 800 gathered to protest against the Government Laod Bill. Colonel Gorton presided, and o number of epecohes were made against the measure. An amendment in favor of the measure only found tbreo supporter?. The following motion, proposed by Mr G.G. W. Wheeler, arid seconded by Mr E. Nowman, was carried amidst utmost enthusiasm:— •‘That this meeting, directly ana indirectly representative of rural intorcetß, enters its empbatio protest against the Lind Bi 1 introduced by the Government. a 1 Became it withdraws tbe optional Bystem of disposing of Crown lands whioh was anproved of at last election. “2. That the renewable leases as pronosed in the Bill will not be a satisfactory way of settling much of tbe Crown lands remaining. , i. 3 That tho proposed oner to the i.t p. tenants (o allow them to eurrender their leaßte and have their land auotioned II not equitable, just, or desired. •i 4 The proposal to limit the area Of land either by way of freehold or lease has never bom before the country, and tho result of it will bo to destroy credit, upset present contracts entered into in relation to freeholds and leases, depreciate the eeourity of rural lands for mortgage purposes, and thus ruin many farmers. Though the limitation only affects rural land, it reacts on every individual in the country, and the proposal Bhould nos bfl this meeting hopes that all members who have the future welfare of the people at heart,. and especially those who at last election eupported the freehold tenure, will be unabatiog in their ! efforts to prevent the measure from becoming law.”

MEETING AT AUOKLAND.

PRESS ASSOCIATION Auckland, last night. A meeting of farmers and land holders was held this afternoon to consider tbe land proposals of the Government. Mr L. R. Phillips, president of the Auckland branch of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union, presided. Mr R. Hall, president of the Auckland Agricultural Association, moved : " This meeting of farmers reoorda its emphatic protest against the provisions of the Land Bill, whioh makes it impossible for eettiers on Crown lands to acquire the freehold of their holdings. They eons aider that lease without option of purehaewill be unsatisfactory to settlers and deirL mental to tbe interest of tbe Biate, as tending to discourage settlement.’’ Mr J. O. Allen moved, '■ This meeting also protests againßt attempting to pass such an important measure without the country first having an opportunity of considering it, and expressing an opinion upon it." Both resolutions were oarried, The Seoretary Btated that ptoteßta against the land proposals and the endeavor to make suoh drastio oharges in land legislation without first giving the people of the colony au opportunity of ex* pressing their views had been received by the New Zealand Farmers' Union and Auokland Agricultural Association from thirty districts in the Auaklend province. Mr Hall said this was an admirable Bill to drive young men out of the oountry to Canada and the Argentine. DunediD last night.

The Otago Provincial Oounoil of the Farmers’ Union passed a resolution strongly objecting to the Land Bill as introduced by the Hon. Minister for Lands, and declaring it to be directly opposed to the evidence given before the Land Commission last year. Meetings of all branches are to be called at once to consider the Bill.