THE GOVERNMENT ANDTHE LAND QUESTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2362, 1 December 1908, Page 7

THE GOVERNMENT ANDTHE LAND QUESTION.

MILL THERE BE A CRISIS?

[Special to “Times.”]

WELLINGTON, Nov. 30. Under the heading of “Crisis” the “Post” deals with tho probabilities next session in connection with the land question. The swing of the pendulum on the vexed question of land tenure has, it says, judging by the •results of the general elections, gone for a time .at least in the direction of the freehold, and it will require all the diplomacy and tact that the Pre'"mier possesses to keep his party together and defend his land policy from successful attack by Mr Massey and the supporters of the freehold. The eleclflXjLresxflted in .a majority of 26 for tlieGoverninent on itl&,.general policy. Out of that pary there are dn tho new Parliament eleven Government supporers who are pledged to the freehold. The Maori vote has been gradually inclined for the last few years to give the freehold to Europeans and retain the leasehold. In respect to Maori land it’s very probable that on the land tenure question, as it affects crown lands, they will support any proposal to give the freehold to Europeans in order that they may get the sympathy of the House for their leasehold land legislation. That, continues the “Post,” will leave the Government in 'a very awkward position. It is fully anticipated that on the meeting of the new Parliament Mr Massey will, move an amendment to the Acklress-in-Iteply to the Governor’s speech prboably in this broad form: “That this House regrets that the Government, in is land legislation, has not made sufficient provision for the freehold tenure.” Such a resolution might prove wide enough to secure the adhesion of fifteen or sixteen Government supporters of the freehold, and that number iadded to the Opposition Party of 25 ox 26 would leave the Government in a minority of 12 on such an amendment as intimated above. THE CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION. .

Then arises the question, wlifcit would bo the constitutional position for the Governor to take up ? Would he send for Mr Massey to form a Government, or would the Government be entitled to a dissolution? It must be remembered that one of the main questions before the electors, and indeed it was almost the first matter dealt with by every candidate,was the land question. Tho Government was returned with a majority of about 26 on its general policy, but amongst their party there are sufficient freeholders to turn the scale against them on a pure issue of -leasehold versus freehold. So far as. can be gathered, the precedents in "the Old Country would seem 'to point to this, that the Governor would “send for” the mover of the hostile motion,-but during recent years in the self-governing colonies, there are, it seems, some, precedents the other way. An examination of all the precedents shows beyond doubt that the Government would be entitled to a dissolution. That fact would have - a material influence on the way the votes were east on a no-confidence motion and it is probable a way would he found out of the difficulty. A division -took place in. committee on the Land Bi-ld last year on an amendment moved hv Mr Lang to clause 3, proposing to give a right of purchase during the first term of the renewable lease. Those who supported the amendment were *(25) : Allison, J* Allen, Bollard* Field, A. L. D. Fraser, W. Fraser, Gray, Greenslade, Hardy, Henries, Hornsby, Houston, Jennings, Letli--bridge, McKenzie, Malcolm, Hander, Massev, Okey, Remington, Ross, Thomson, Milford, (tellers) Lang., Major. Of those twenty-five there were 13 Government supporters, and of the 13 eight are members of the new Parliament, -and .it may be taken that they would adhere to their previous vote on -a- no-confidence motion .involving the granting, of the freehold. Clause 3 of the National Endowment Act of 1907 provided that no national endowment land or land under that Act shall be sold or be disposed of by any means- Mr^ Massey moved to strike out the word “no” before national with the view of altering the clause in, other directions. Those who voted for the* amendment were (19): J. Allen, A. L. I). Fraser, M. Eraser, -Graham, Greenslade, Hardy, Herr.ies, Houston, Lang, Malcolm, Mander, Massey, Okey, Reid, Eemington, Ross, Milford, (tellers) Jennings, and Mackenzie. Messrs Baumc and Field paired for Mr Masses's amendment. Seven of the .above have been returned -ais Government supporters and it may be fairly assumed by Mr Massey that he would have their support on any strictly land tenure issue. The recent electiong resulted in the defeat of a number of the Government party who wore staunch leaseholders and their places have been taken,- by others who were pledged to the optional tenure or to a greater instalment of freehold than now obtains in the country.