THE LAND BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2110, 19 June 1907, Page 2

THE LAND BILL.

SPEECH BY MB. MASSEY. “A BBIBE TO THE TOWNS.” Press Association. AUCKLAND, last night. Mr. Massey, leader of the Opposition, in addressing his constituents at Patuinalioo, said that those on the land and prospective settlers would be prejudicially affected by the Land Bill. Mr. McNab at Stratford said: V ‘ Would it not be a fine thing if I could hand you over endowments sufficient to pay for rates.” “That is the bribo held out to people in towns,” declared Mr. Massey. Mr. Fowlds had made a “rabid, vicious, silly, and stupid attack” upon him. The trouble was that he was tearing the Government Land Bill to pieces. 'Ho was willing to hand tho wholo question over to actuaries, who would divide the capital value into interest between tho State o n one hand and the settlers on the other, and if in giving the option of purchase, the settler was entitled to make any payment to the State, let it be made. He did not wish to rob the State of a farthing, but Mr. Fowlds wished to rob the settlers. He did not think. Mr. Fowlds would deny that ho was a single-taxer, and single-tax and socialism was a bad combination in the 'Ministry. Ho denied that he had over called Mr. Fowlds the strong the Ministry. He had said, and still thought, ho was a dangerous man. As to the Land Bill, Mr. Fowlds had displayed either the grossest ignorance or wilful inaccuracy, especially, when he said that millions of acres of native lands would be opened under the optional system. In regard his references to the Hinemoa trip taken by Mr. Fowlds and, liis friends to the Sounds, he only intended asking for the return to see if they paid the full fare charged to the public, and not only 4s Gd a day for meals, as had been reported. A vote of continued confidence was unanimously accorded Mr. Massey.