King Country Chronicle Wednesday, October 8th, 1913 THE NEW LAND BILL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 609, 8 October 1913, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Wednesday, October Bth, 1913 THE NEW LAND BILL.

The new Land Bill, introduced by the Government, hag now run the gamut of Opposition criticism, and though the measure may not be all that is claimed for it by enthusiasts partisans, there can be no doubt a useful addition to the land legislation of the country has been made. The criticism to which the Bill has been subjected indicates clearly that the feeling of the House on tho question of tenure is unmistakably freehold. Unfortunately, the exigencies of party Government lead to a great deal of talking for merely party purposes, and frequently the merits of an altogether worthy measure are buried under a deluge of party criticism. That this has not been the case in respect to the present Bill is probably duo to the fact that despite party j criticism, which is levelled as a matter of duty against all Government measures, it is broadly recognised that the proposed alterations will be j towards improving existing conditions. Inasmuch as the Bill makes for security of tenure, the importance, of which wag insufficiently recognised by past Administrations, it is an improvement. Ex peri mental leg is la!: ton I is no doubt justifiable, and all progressive communities have a keen desire to avoid perpetuating the mistakes of o'uler countries where Icng-esiabiished and arbitrary customs rovcm the individual to his detriment. in vctpti't to land tenure, however, she uatmmi! interests can b:- amply safeguarded by meens of limitation of ;;rea and : a nation without unduly harassing the settler by means of short term leases ; and vexatious regulations. M- Massey in his Bill has reiiectsd the wishes ; of the pc-ople regarding the freehold tenure, and the extra security thus provided for ihe eona fide, sen fie;:, ami particularly for the settler on neve ; country, v.'ill make for an increased | prosperity, and will give rise in wide- j spread satisfaction anions; if.ose who ; make a living on the land, There is ] no disguising the (net that for years- ; past there has been a feeling of unrest : in tha country concerning the land ■ question. From time io time attempts j have been made to force the leasehold i on tha settler, anci the continual tin- ; kering with tha forms af tenure has kept the farming community in a state of ferment. It is to be ques- j ticned if the previous Administration

meant to do more than pander to the predilictions of the labour section of the community, but its obvious I weakness on the question, runs its ; rc;:di'.ie?i- : to :dln\v t he-ori ri: ■ ?o experiment with :■■ nr,;lU : r fo vila! !r ] the vr.im on £!■■> bnd p-e,d;:>\ d :■ de- I p'orablo i'celin;: e{ insvepriiy which j wa> inimicni i <•> prop! e:-Y. :•■'. r .wn;-Key j by Miii :::i:i;t ibe f;v. held principle j oi:ui;yhl, :;i;d cii:-. ("'; im: iii--- - iTfivi towards ..-.miiiit tiny r:<r-:r<.>!';fitic!i and other abuses involved in the question, has done much fo set Ho the unrest of the settlers, a; d has earned a name for con-iisfcmcy in carrying out his pledges. The method* udonted in the Bill to abuses likely to crop up may reasonably i,t ' rilicised, but they are at least worthy of a trial. Sir Joseph Ward clamours for a penal clause in reßpect to aggregation, and in this is supported by Mr C. K. Wilson. The roading provisions are also held by the Opposition leader to be inadequate, and thin is a matter which it is to be hoped will be fully considered irrespec'.he of party or faction. Whether or not the roading provision for th« settlement of new country, as outlined in the Bill, be deemed sufficient, the great question of roadie:-? is deserving of the special attention of Parliament apart entirely from the land question. It iB to be hoped that Mr Massey, having made such an excellent attempt to pronota the interests of settlement will turn bis attention to an equally important phase of the question, and frame a special Roading Bill which will jtand as a monument to his credit long after the present political parties are together.