A FREEHOLD PROPOSAL

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1920, Page 2

A FREEHOLD PROPOSAL

HELD UP IN HOUSE.

AGAIN TALKED OUT.

Our Parliamentary Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. Tlie Te Aroha Leases Bill occupied the afternoon to-day and once more was talked out by the leaseholders on the Opposition and Labour benches. This bill proposes to grant > the freehold of the tenants of Te Aroha: town sections which are held, at present on mining lease, the rentals going to the local body. The supporters of the Bill say if the freehold is granted, the local body can c<jll e ct rates arid the Government which at present receives nothing will receive the purchase money. Leasehold members, however, profess *0 see in the Bill a sacrifice of State interests and through it to the national endowments. When the Lands Committee on August 2oth recommend that the Bill should be allowed to proceed, tho report was ’ talked out. The suspended debate was resumed this afternoon, and j leaseholders again talked determinedly I tL~ kon yy* o/limimrnfinE. tllllß

until the 5.50 p.m. aajoumintsuu, «uu» keeping the Bill in suspense. They are prepared to repeat the effort- and it is evident that if the Government 'ntends to push the measure through this session, some considerable expenditure of time will be required. Most of the debate to-day was directed at the principle of State 'Endowment. Mr Isitt (Christchurch North) who used to he a strong leaseholder said he had been .forced to realise, as a practical man, that the selfishness of human nature’ made the leasehold tenure on a large scale impossible, since the ten- ’ ants \vould seek the freehold for reasons of personal profit, and if they were numerous enough to count, some party was sure to yield to them. The of the Upholds in the House here are fighting an almost hopeless battle, but if .Government proposed

presently to part lvitn ww.nia.woua.l dowments the remnant of the Liberal Party in the House would make a very vigorous fight Mr Massey was drawn into tfiie .argument towards the end of the debate. Mr Sullivan (Avon) was saying that the members who supported the would also support the sole of the National Endowments if it was propsed. . i Mr Massey—-There, is no such proposal before the House... Mr Sullivan—l am very glad to hear that there is no proposal to dispose of endowments land. Mr Massey—l did not say that. Mr Sullivan— 'Perhaps I misunderstood the Prime Minister. I should like to hear exactly what he did mean Mr Massey—You wait and s ee. X will make no rasli promises.