THE LAND BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2204, 7 October 1907, Page 1

THE LAND BILL.

LAND PURCHASE BOARD INCOJ!

PETENT.

THE SOCIALISTIC ASPECT. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON. October 4. In the House of Representatives this evening Mr. Thos. Mackenzie spoke after Mr. Laurenson. Ho proceeded to demolish Mr. Lnurenson’s arguments in favor of leasehold, and said tho public could not bo expected to go to the back blocks when singlej tax ideas were so prevalent. Sir Georgo Gray had been a strong ad- j vocate that a man should hold his own proporty. Sir John Mackenzie also had boon quoted, but he was a believer in tho right of purehaso, I and it was only because of a certain I school that- was behind him in tho I

I Ministry that ho for the timo abanI cloned his principle that a man should I have the right to mako his land his I own. In refereneo to tho 10 por I cent purchase principlo in clauso 66, I Mr. McKenzio said the only reason I for it was tho utter incompotency of I the Land Purchase Department. Moro I practical ability was wanted in that I department, and if it had it there I would bo no need for these extreme I aids to protect the department from j running risks. In regard to Mr. I Lauronson’s idea about high prices I for land producing low wages he pointed out that wages were never better in the colony than they wero now, and yet tho price of land had never been higher. I Mr. Jas. Allen chaffed Mr. Lain- I enson because of tho position ho I now found himself in. Last year I the flag was nailed to the mast with I £13,000. and £50,000 principles. Now I tho principles were abandoned and I tho flag was being dragged in the I gutter. Mr. Laurenson had gono tin- I

tier the banner of the Socialists,whose principles were collective ownership of everything, and that the whole of the land should be in tho hands of

the Crown. Leading Socialists,. ho pointed out, wore hard. up. against two of our greatest institutions—tho Church and tho family tie. He quoted Kaupmann’s definitions of scientific socialism in proof of his statements. He referred to the recent meeting of Socialists in Wellington in which one of them was heard to say. “To Hell with the Church I” Ho quoted further from Kaupmann in regard to tho attitude of modern Socialism in regard to tho family tie.

Mr. Laurenson rose to a point of order. He wished to know what this had to do with tho Bill.

The Speaker said ho understood Mr. Allen was replying to a definition of a Socialist givon by Mr. Laurenson. Mr. Laurenson said Mr. Allen was quoting from “somo Continental rubbish.”

Tho Speaker said ho could not prevent the lion, member from reply-

ing to Mr. Lauronson’s remarks. Mr. Allen denied that he was minting from “Continental rubbish.” He was quoting from well known authorities.

Dress Association. WLPJLiUMjTuin, Oct. 6. Alter micinignt lUr. Hll said the Bill did not satisiy him, as he hern chat all land snoiud be held by the otate. He, however, thought the inn would be generally, acceptable to the country, but he conteuueu tnao cue leasehold system would bo better for tho nonunion.

.■ Air. Sicley contended that tko renewable lease was an old faco with a new iiamo, and was already on .cue Statute Book in the iprui of small grazing runs. Mr. Hanan contended that if leaseholders were Socialists so also were private landlords, who leased the lands, recognising the advantages of leasehold over absolute sale in the long run. He was pleased that it was not intended to give the whole run to freehold Ho contended that the Bill would 'prove whether leaseholders desired the freehold or to secure the unearned increment. If they simply desired the freehold they would obtain it at present value. Otherwise it was clear that they dosired the unearned increment pure aiid simple. Mr. Field thought a G 6 years lease too long. He added that 42 years was long enough to go without revaluation. He did not think the option given to convert the lease-in-perpetuity to G 6 years’ renewable leases would be availed of. Air. Rutherford anticipated that trouble would arise over the improvements when re-valuation took place. Air. AVilford spoke in favor of the freehold on the ground, amongst others, of sentiment, and the sense of freedom from servitude, and diminished possibility of legislative interference. , , . Mr. Remington expressed himself as favorable to granting the freehold to Crown tenants subject to stringent restrictions of acreage and conditions as to occupancy. Air Thomson said that he believed the trend of the times was towards the freehold with limitation. Air. AlcNab rose to reply at three o’clock. He said he felt some confidence in approaching the committee stages. He believed members of the House intended to approach the problem of settling land matters in the same spirit as members of the Lands Committee had exhibited. He contended that confusion had arisen during the debate between the Land Bill proper- and the Endowment Bill. Under section 3 of the Land Act applicants would have the right of. selecting under cash, occupation with the right of purchase, and renewable lease. He pointed out that the Government were extending the right to secure the freehold, and not reducing it as was apparently thought by somo members. Ho rvent on to say that there was no intention to dispose of the 9,000,000 'acres of endowment under the optional tenure. They were rapidly approaching the time when there would ho no land to put in the market under the optional tenure, and then they would

be bringing about tlio same result as was proposed by tlie endowment p.rooosals of tlio Government, excepting in regard to tlie destruction of revenue. He hoped to be able to intimate to tlie House shortly what the

Government proposed to do with regard to leases of endowment lands. The second reading was agreed. to *>v 38 to 9 Afessrs Hardy, Herries. Malcolm. Houston. Major, Mander. Obey. Afassey and Lang voting aga-

st it. The House adjourned at 3.30 a.m