GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1055, 14 November 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.] [PEE PEE S 3 AGENCY.] HO USE OF REPRESENTATIVES. "Tuesday, November 13. The House met at 2.30. lu reply to Mr Gisborne, Mr Sheehan said that in reducing the constabulary force the late Ministry had granted officers four months’ pay as gratuity, and privates one month’s pay, THE LAND BILL. The House wont into committee on the Laud Bill. On the Canterbury run clauses, Mr Sheehan declared that this was the last possible chance of any compromise on the question, and he urged the Canterbury people to accept the terms offered. If these were refused it would become a question with the Government whether the clauses should not bo loft over as an open question till next year, especially if an appeal to the countiy were to take place in the meantime. Ho did not third such an appeal would now bs necessary, buf iie urged Canterbury to accept the term' offered. These terms were that the rom should not bo less that a shilling a head 01 sheep or less than five shillings per head foi great cattle, according to carrying capacity the Government also proposed to make tie lease five years instead of ten years. Mr Eolleston said the terms of the Bill n amended by the Waste Lands Committee, viz ninepence and four shillings, were themseln i compromise. This the Canterbury me were prepared to accept, not hr what the wanted, but as a compromise. If these term wars increased great Injustice would bo done

'o many small struggling men in bad back iountry. He urged having a low minimum o meet such cases. Ten years’ tenure was iot, he I bought, at all t oo long to give. Mr Reid, at considerable length, reviewed ho position of the Canterbury licensololders, and thought that a certain tenure of on years was by no means more than they vere entitled to, looking at the whole circum■lances of the case and the fact that most of he license-holders now were men who bad lougbt, on the security of holding their runs until they were sold or renewed. Ho also bought the proposed minimum assessment '-oo high.

Mr Stout said Mr Reid had in the Waste hands Committee himself supported the minimum assessment now proposed, and this through a very bitter discussion. He contended that the Government proposal would actually give the runholders an extension of tenure to which they had no legal title or eight, while it would be given them with little or no real increase of rent.

Mr 'Tbavkbs contended that according to die wording of the Bill the Waste Lands Board would have to determine a uniform rate of assessment for all runs between the maximum and minimum according to carrying capacity, but without any regard to situation, He thought that for years the Canterbury runholders had enjoyed great exceptionable advantages. He thought a percentage on the cost and value of land occupied the fairest means of arriving at rental. They should now be made to pay fair rent, and the House should fix the amount. One shilling per sheep would not be oppressive on any run, and on those best situated a higher rate should be charged. Provision should be made for, if necessary, increasing the rental during the tenure if carrying capacity increased.

Mr Stevens supported long tenure and high rental. Mr Moobhouse supported the Bill as it stood.

Mr Whitaker thought the Bill should assess not the quality but the value of the the run, as well as its carrying capacity. The matter was an ordinary one of land-owner and tenant. All existing rights practically terminated in 1880; but the State being the landlord, should deal liberally in renewing tenure. If the Board could be trusted to assess fairly, it was not of much importance whether the minimum were fixed at 9d or Is. He thought lixiug the assessment should be left, both as to maximum and minimum, to tho Board if it was a fair tribunal. Ho moved that the word “value” be substituted for “quality” in clause 98. Agreed to. On division, 9d minimum assessment on sheep was carried by 37 to 27. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, November 13. The City of Dunedin Loans Consolidation Bill was read a third time. The Public Reserves Bill was read a second time.