LAND LEGISLATION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 211, 29 November 1909, Page 5

LAND LEGISLATION.

The Rival T enure.

Members of tr.- H-. ; ••• ' r ' against | the freehold pr>>:>'> r; " 5 . 4 <- i vi in the Land Bill have already taken measures with a vi.nv to making their pro- [ test effective. About a score of them met and discussed the subject, and the i attitude they should take up in connec- ' tion with the bill when it come? before i tbe House. Members present express- : ed themselves in strong terms regard- ; ing the proposal to give the freehold to Crown tenants, ar.d more particularly to tenants of Land for Settlement lands. The opinion was also expressed bat as a matter of abstract fact the leasehold principle had been set aside by the provisions contained in the bill, and that tbe conditions under which tbe freehold was to be given could not be regarded as satisfactory from the radical standpoint. It was also pointed oat that the freehold proposals in tbe bill bad not been before the country. and it was urged that the electors should be given an opportunity of thoroughly understanding tbe nature of the proposals. Tbe point made by the meeting was that the land laws of the Dominion bad been revised about two years ago by Parliament, and that there was no good reason shown why they sbould not be given a fair trial. Farther, it was urged that, although certain provision was made for securing to the Crown what is known as the "unearned increment," it was not considered that those constituted a sa is factory set-off against the freehold proposals in the bill, nor was it considered that they could be reconciled with the leasehold pledges given by radical members, Also it was urged that if the Radicals gave way in con nection with tbe proposals, their position would certainly be seriously weakened! in tbe country. With a view to arousing public interest and in order that the people may thoroughly understand what tbe meeting regarded as some of the reactionary features of tbe bill, it was suggested that meeting shoold be held in certain country districts where it was felt education on the fubject was necessary to ereate a sound, intelligent and progressive public opinion on tbe subject. No resolutions were passed, or definite conclusions arrived at, tbe discussion being merely an informal one with a view to ascertaining the views of members on the subject. Tbe feeling was emphatic that determined opposition should be shown to tbe bill, with a view to making the measure more consistent with what are believed to be tbe views of the Liberal and progressive electors of the Dominion, and anotcbr meeting is to be held to determine what steps shall be taken to give effect to tbe views expressed.