The Land Question.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 275, 7 September 1906, Page 2

The Land Question.

(By Telegraph.) (Special to the Settler.) Wellington, Thursday 6, 4.10 p.m. The Financial Debate, which had been expected to last folly a fortnight, came suddenly to an end yesterday afternoon. Its only remarkable feature was a slashing speech by the Hou. Mr M‘Nab, Minister for Lauds, on Tuesday evening in exposition of the land policy of the Government. It is, indeed, suggested that its brilliancy and the policy it expounded took the stiffening out of the Opposition party. At any rate when only five speeches bad been made the Opposition had no champion ready, and it only remained for Sir Joseph Ward to finish tbs debate, which he did in another vigorous fighting speech. Two important points were made char in the Minister Cor Lands elsb >- ration of the latia policy. First : Tua though the G >vernmeut m ike the 66 years lease the central puiat of their system, the lea: e is to carry with it the right of renewal if the tenant de sires, failing which be can go out with valuation for improvements—it is, in fact, to be the Gla-gow form of lease «o popular in the case of city public bodies. The second point which forms the Government unswor to the demand for the freehold is that tbeir scheme for the compul.-ory limitation of holdings to the value of £50,000 unimproved will drive into the market within the next 10 years ove’’ £2,250,000 worth of freehold laud more than would be available if the p-esent op.ional system were con tinned. Tub phrse of tbe Gov< rnmenr proposals is cod aiders! to have spiked the guns of those who medicated an attack under the freehold barmsr. Both the Hons. Ward and M‘Nab em phasised the fact that the Government intend to stand or fall by their land policy. The Premier, however, indi cated, that if members desired to take time to consider proposals so important it would ba only reasonable, and hinted that tbe Government would not insist upon the whole Bill going through this session, though it would do so next year. In any case, however, tbe £50,000 limitation clause will be carried through at once.

Mr Greenslade has been appointed to the Lind and Native Committees.