SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 1891. The Land Bill.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 24 October 1891, Page 2

SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 1891. The Land Bill.

DireiNG the last session of parlia* ment, the Land Bill occupied very much time, and the Government succeeded in forcing their proposals through the House, having received support from members ■whose acquaintance with land was very limited. The Opposition pointed out that the Bill was an attempt to introduce land nationalization into the Colony, under the disguise of this supposed consolidating measure. The Bill was thrown out by a very large majority in the Council. Well that it was so, for the Colony, as between sections 10 and 288 therewere no less than fourteen penal clauses spread about, with fines ranging troin £5 to i'soo ! The Bill purported to retain the right to purchase for cash, but it was so surrounded with restrictions, as to residence &c, that it practically refused that which it pretended to grant, The right to obtain land in trust was repealed altogether, thus preventing a father purchasing in trust for his children. Old settlers would thus be unable to make provision for their sons to live the life to which they had been brought up ! Then the one-man-one-run clause exhibited the pure foolishness of our elected representatives, as a careful man, taking up a run, capable of carrying 500 sheep, would be unable, as his hfeans increased, to enlarge his operations, though a more enterprising, or say reckless man, might, in the first instance have secured a run with a carrying capacity for 15,000 sheep. The Government failed to see that the more cautious of our settlers deserved the best consideration. Such are some of the objections to the Bill, which settlers have to thank' the Council for throwing out. The Minister of Lands, in introduc ing this Bill, expressed his opinion that the time had arrived when the Government should stop selling any more land ; but he honestly admitted that a large number of people in the colony had not come to that way ot thinking. Considering the vast interests that are invested in sheep and wool, and the great export these industries produce, it would have been expected that a Government would have shown every consideration to those engaged in these pursuits, instead of hampering them in every way. Instead of the Government being thankful to the Council for saving them from the effects of the ' fads ' of the Minister of Lands, they are wrathful at their action, and the Premier the other day at Dunedin, came out with the statement that his opinion was that they should sell no more land ! And that when the Land Bill next went up to the Conncil, it would only be a measure containing perpetual leases ! The Premier is aware that the. Council is against this absurd proposal, and so he threatens to call to that body men of the " right colour " to carry out his ideas. The Premier wants to " awe" the Council into passing the measure, but he is nni^prepared to make the •' no sale of land " a test question at the election, and appeal to the country. No such proposal was before the electors at the last election and the question is too grave a one for any Government to raise arid carry, without it having been brought prominently before the constituencies. The Bill, as it passed the House, would never pass the large majority of the country electors. '