THE LAND BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2134, 17 July 1907, Page 3

THE LAND BILL.

BACKDOWN BY THE GOVERN MENT.

GOVERNMENT MEN DISSATISFIED.

(Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, last night. The sensational part of the Budget delivered by Sir Josoph Ward tonight was tho comploto surrender. of the Government in connection with their land policy of last session. This came like a thunderclap upon the leaseholders and tho more Socialistic of the Ministerial followers. They wore simply astonished, and afterwards in tho lobby they were even fierce in their denunciation. Some of the lnnguage used was scarcely fit for publication. One well-known member of the Government party said to an Oppositionist, “It’s not you that will bo moving a vote ot want of confidence, now, it’s us.” During the few minutes that be re rnained in the lobby after the House adjourned, Mr. Massey was congratulated on all hands and by several of the Government supporters. The Government change of front was perhaps harder upon Mr. Laurenson than upon any other member of tho party Fresh from expounding on the platform at. Gisborne what- be bad fondly believed to be the policy of bis party ho entered tho House just in time to hear that the Government had thrown that particular piece of policy over board. There is still much discussion going- on in the lobby and the land policy proposals as contained in tlic Budget overshadow everything else.

MR. HOGG’S VIEWS. MR. LAURENSON THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED. Mr. HoggT a prominent member of the leasehold party, on being asked for his opinion regarding the Govern ment’s proposals stated: “I entirely disagree with tho proposal to give lease in perpetuity holders the option of the freehold on the terms offered A mistake in my opinion has also been made in simply setting apart a portion only of the unsold lands of the Crown as a national endowment. After repeated promises that the whole of tho unsold Crown lands would be applied to this purpose it is a backdown that must seriously embarrass the supporters of the Goi'ern ment, who expected firmness where the general interests of the colony are concerned. With the increased rate of land tax I heartily concur, but I must express my deep regret tha I for reasons that to me appear untenable and which I hope to easily demolish, the Government cannot see their way once and for all to abolish this duty on flour and breadstuffs. Mr. Laurenson states openly tha* he will support a vote of want of con fidence in the Government.