LAND BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 187, 8 October 1906, Page 2

LAND BILL.

THE COUNTRY PARTY’S ATTITUDE

(Special to Times,)

> Wellington, Saturday, The attitude of the country party in I regard to the Bill is of course a sub* l ject of considerable interest and i speculation. It has been freely stated , during the last day or two that- there is a determination on the part of several opponents of the Bill to have the measure exhaustively discussed in Committee. The names of Messrs Baume, Rutherford, Wilford, Symes, Major, and others have been mentioned' in this connection. The “ country party,” with which all these members are more or less identified, are inclined to be reticent as to their line of action. The executive of the party, which consists of Messrs Rutherford, Field, Major, Symes and Bennett, held a meeting to discuss the matter. The result has not been officially made public, but I understand that it was decided to present a requisition to the Premier, asking that the Bill be not , interfered with this session. j

Resolutions against the Bill are being passed by the branches of the Farmers’ Union in all parts of the colony, and these as well as letters expressive of the same feeling are pouring in upon members daily. The leaseholders outside of Parliament seem to have been rather apathetic up to tho present. QUESTION OF POSTPONEMENT

Whilst on the one hand it is urged that the postponement of the Bill would be an admission of weakness, it is contended on the other side that the Government would not be justified in pushing through the Bill until the country has had a full opportunity of discussing it in all its various aspects. Tho general opinion, as already stated, is that it is next to impos-ible for the Bill to be passed this session. The possibility of the House resuming after the opening of the Exhibition for the purpose of putting the Bill through is still spoken of, but some of the opponents of the Bill declare that it will not pass even if members are kept here till Christmas.