Land for Settlement.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 August 1911, Page 4

Land for Settlement.

GOING SLOW.

"Lands for settlement" -was discussed in tho House of Representatives upon Ministerial replies to questions, and there - were some warm passages. Replying to a question by Mr Dun. can (Wairau) as to Whether the Government intended this session to anicnd Sect'/)n 31 of the Lands for Settlement Act, the Hon. D. Buddo elicted the fact that his questioner dosired to abolish -the supplementary valuation roll. Speaking later, the Hon. T. Mackenzie congratulated his colleague upon having "wiped the floor" with •tike member for "Wairau. This led to a strong protest by Mr James Allen during the evening sitting. The member for .Bruce said he did not think any Minister should say that his colleague had "wiped the floor" with any member. Mr Duncan had put his question in all earnestness and seriousness, intent on moving the country to do something to move the Government to a little quicker action in connection with the lands for settlement scheme. Parliament allowed the Government' half a million a year to purchase land for settlement and no doubt every member of the House was dissatisfied with what was being accomplished. The Government had spent only ,0158,000 out of hall a million allowed them last year. The Acting-Prime M inister: "We cannot buy two dearly."

Mr Alien: "No, but you get opportunities to buv cheaply, and you won't do it." Tho Government did not protect tho natives. It could have done tin's and at the same time got thousands and thousands of acres which could have been obtained cheaply from the Natives. Instead, the Government bad allowed syndicates to come in and get ti:ve land.

Mr Duncan stated in personal explanation that ho had accepted the remark of the Minister for Agriculture as an attempt to be jocular. It was generally recognised in the House that the Minister was a Scotchman who joked with very great difficulty. Mr Mackenzie submitted that this was abuse, and not a personal explanation. The Hon. G. Fowlds hoped- thatthe member for Bruce felt beter after his electioneering speech on behalf of his member for Wairau. Ho declared himself amused at the statement: "We granted the Government half a million for purposes of land settlement." This might go down with people who knew nothing about the history of land settlement.

Mr 'Massey: "We know that your colleague voted against it-.'

Mr Fo'wlds: "T am dealing with your !in tho meantime." Til the early days a great deal of bitterness had been shown by members of the Opposition against the land for settlement scheme. Mr Alien: "That is not so." Mr Fowlds stated that the Opposition had begun to find out that the people they represented had -been able to do very well out of the Government hv parting with land at high prices. At present, it was almost impossible to get land, save at prices that would be .ruinous to the settlers who took it up. Wisdom dictated that the Government .should go slow. Mr Buchanan pointed out that-, while the Government was authorised to spend half a million a year under the lands for settlement scheme, it had spent last year only £158,000; in 1909 the sum of £2000; and in 1908, £432,000. Mr Okey remarked that when the House voted the money for this purpose, it was the duty of the" Government to spend it. If the Government wanted to go on witli the lands for settlement scheme, they would have to pay market value for the lan<!.