LAND SETTLEMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2240, 11 July 1908, Page 1

LAND SETTLEMENT.

A CONCESSION TO THE FREEHOLDERS. (Special to "Times.”) WELLINGTON, July ?• Tho' freolioklors uro indulging in a little jubulation over tho special .land settlement scliemo foreshadowed an the Budget, which is a groat concession to freeholders. The 'Loader of the Opposition had pointed out that this proposal was foreshadowed lost sossion by un amondmont to tho Land Bill that was proposed bv Mr Alslcohn, member for Cluthn. His amendment ran ns follows: — (soe Hansard vol. 141 pago G 54) Notwithstanding unything to tho contrary in this or any 'other Act, tho Government, on tho recommendation of tho Land Purchase .Board, may, out of the moneys that horoafter from time to time bo appropriated by Parliament for tho purposo, acquiro lands for the purposo of closer settlement, such lands to bo disposed of by auction or tender for cash, tho cash recoivcd to bo paid into a fund to bo used for tho furthor purchaso and disposal of lands under tho abovo conditions. Providod always thjit lands acquired under the authority given in this section shall bo disposed of in areas not oxceoding GOO and 40 acres, and that lands acquired under this "clauso shall not be taken compiilsoril.v. In introducing this amendment Mr Malcolm supported it in terms very similar to those used bv the Prime Ministor in introducing his proposal. It will bo noted, howovor, that whereas Mr Malcolm proposed, that lands should be. immediately paid for the Government proposes to givo settlers 82) years in which to pay for them, thus reviving that popuEar form of tenure —the deferred payment system introduced by tho lion. W. Itolleston. Oil the other hand tho Government’s proposal misses tho advantage of the immediate return of expenditure it would have secured under Mr Malcolm’s clause. Mr Malcolm’s clause was defeated, by 38 to 18, those voting for it being: Messrs J. Allan, Barclay, Eiold, Elatman, W. Eraser, Hardy, Herrios, Jennings,. Lang, Major, Marnier, Massey, Reid, ltoss, Thomson, Wilford, Okev, and Malcolm. Though-tho Government’s proposal this year is so similar it is not to say it will meet with a more favorable reception. Mr Laurenson, a prominent leaseholder, when extolling the good points of the Budget was asked what ho thought of the provision referred to. "It is a very good one,” ho replied. On being reminded of the recognition that it gave' to the principle of the freehold, ho replied: "Well, 1 would rather see the Hand settled under Crown leasehold, but I prefer a number of small freeholds t 0 ono largo freehold.”