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

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 609, 5 November 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 enthusiast!: 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 thu House on th« 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 due to the fact that despite party ) 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 was insulliciently recognised by past. Administration?!, it is an improveni ent. Experimental legislation is no doubt jur-tifiabie. ami all progressive communities have a keen desire to avoid perpeiuating the mistakes of j oiik-r countries where Icny-esiabiished j and arbitrary customs gov.-rn the inrfi- I vidusl to hi* detriment in mpt el to land tenure, !-.o«vov-v, site nat-'oi.;?! interests can be amply by ineetis of limitation <>f nr.:a and taxation without unduly oararsing the settlor by means of short term teases ; 1 and vexatious regulations. Mr in his Bill has reflect;?'! the wishes : of the people reyrldnur the freehold tenure, and the e:;u'a security thus , provided for the bona fide. sci tier, and particularly for the settler on new > country, will make for an increased | prosperity, and will give rise to wide- j spread Haf.isfaci.ion amone ihose who make a living en the land. There is , ; no disguining the (act that for years ; past there has been a feeling of unrest : in the country concerning the land : question. From time to time attempts J have been made to force the leasehold on the settler, and the continual tin- ; kering with the forms jf tenure has kept the fanning eommunitv in a ; state of ferment. It is to be ques- j fcioned if the previous Administration

meant to do more than pander to the predictions of the labour section of the community, but its obvious j weaknee? .on the question, and it? > rcr:diue ?s to allow ' bcuri!'ifc expevimeni wit!: a ni;;<<ev fo vi(a; (r 1 the man on the bad piaaaiad d>--p'nvablo feel in;.: oC inswnr iiy winch j by :1 iii; iii ;t IHe fsV..S;:'ld principle oinriuht, s;>;il cii.pf.uij: b:.' < ii«n* towards .•»;iiii)!it(H>n and other abuses involved in (be question, has done much <o ;ieltle the unrest of the settlors, a; d has earned a name for consistency in carrying out his pledges. The method * mloriteri in the Bill to abuses likely to crop up may reasonably be. critieised, but they are at least worthy of a trial. Sir Joseph Ward clamours for a pena! clause id reßpect to aggregation, and in this ia 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'.i .e 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 queition of roadirr? is deserving of the special attention of Parliament apart entirely from the land question. It is to be hoped that Mr Massey, having made such an excellent attempt to proMote the interests of settlement will turn his 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.