THE LAND BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1920, Page 4

THE LAND BILL

The Land Laws Amendment Bill was before the House yesterday afternood on the report of the Lands Committee that the measure should be allowed to proceed, and it found tlie leaseholders in a somewhat dejected mood. Air Witty thought tho Government would have saved paper and ink and occasion no more heart-burning had it brought down a Bill of one clause, enabling it to part with every acre of endowment land. The Government was proving itself the consistent ally of the land speculator and the* profiteer. Mr Forbes recognised that tho Government was going to have its own way in the matter and that wordy opposition would be of no avail. The Government simply was establishing a principle of repudiation.

'■"( THE MINISTER’S PLEA. The Hon D. H. Guthrie, the Minister of Lands, replied rather in sorrow than anger. Me admitted tlie sincerity of the leaseholders, but lie could not understand their line of argument or recognise tho justice of their claims. They were entitled to state their case and to resist the Bill, but the freeholders, who were in a majority in the House and the country, were equally entitled to press their views. Mr Afassey did not join in the debate at this stage, except by way of interjection, but be is expected to be beard when tlie Bill comes up for its second reading. Aleanwliile, the report of the committee was received on the voices and the passage oi the Bill was made practically secure.