THE LAND BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2075, 9 May 1907, Page 3

THE LAND BILL.

Press Association. RANGIORA, yesterday. Mr. G. AY. Leadley, vice-president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, and Air. G. Burgess, of Taranaki, opened the Farmers’ Union campaign in Canterbury last night by addressing a fairly well attended meeting at Rangiora. Mr. F. Horrell, chairman of the Maudeville Road Board, presided. Air. Leadlev stated that the Union was not actuated by political party motives, and would not be drawn into the mud puddle of party politics. Reviewing the chief clauses of the Bill, he quoted Air. AlcNab’s statement that the real object of the Bill was to cheapen land. He strongly condemned this, in view of the fact that the land was the security for large amounts of public and private loans. After adversely criticising the endowmnet and limitation clause, ho strongly condemned the provisions requiring mortgagees who had become purchasers of mortgaged rural land to dispossess themselves oi such lands within two years. Air. Burgess instanced the inadequate allowances made for improvement by Government valuers as a strong reason for desiring the freehold. A resolution that no land system will be acceptable unless it inclules the op tion of acquiring the freehold wat moved, hut was outvoted by support ers of an amendment expressing confidence in the Government and approval of the Land Bill. CHRISTCHURCH, last night. Air. \V. F. Massey, M.H.R., Loader of the Opposition, visited Cheviot yesterday, at the invitation of a liumbor of the settlers in that district. He was met at Domett by Alessrs. T. Aleikle (chairman of the -Cheviot County Council), S. Smith (president of the Cheviot Settlers’ Association), and a number of representative settlers, and spent the af- - ternooon driving round the district In the evening Mr. Alassey delivered an address at the Town Hall. The Jmqeting was the largest that has ever been held at Cheviot, the lial! being crowded. Mr. Alassey’s address was devoted chiefly to the land question. He had an enthusiastic reception, and the keenest interest was manifested in his speech from start to finish. His address was on the lines of previous speeches delivered by him during the- past recess. At the close of the address the following motion was proposed and seconded: —“That this meeting accords a hearty vote of thanks to Air., ivlas- { sey for his statesmanlike address, 1 and is of opinion that the optional sdystom of tenure is the most satis-

faotoiy method of settling the people upon the land.” An amendment was moved: —“That this meeting thanks Mr. Massey for his address, and expresses its entire confidence in the present Government’s libera) land policy.” The motion was car iried by a large majority, amidst much excitement and enthusiasm. In returning thanks Mr. Massey said there was a tremendous fight approaching on the question of freehold versus leasehold. He could give hi?audience this assurance: That the Land Bill of the Government was not going to be passed into law so long as ho remained a member of Parliament. (Loud applause.) He was not speaking egotistically or boastingly, but l!»e.v would have to eject him before the Bill passed into law, and he would never rest, and those working with him would never rest, until every settler on the land of the Crown had the right of option of 'purchase. (Loud cheers.)