Discussed in the House.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3718, 6 October 1906, Page 3

Discussed in the House.

Wellington, October 4. a The Chairman of the Lands Com- r mittee (the Hon. T. Y. Duncan) brought f up the report of the Committee 011 the Land Bill in the Lower House yesterday afternoon, lie said the Committee had considered the Bill and taken evidence, i and had come to the conclusion that it 1 be allowed to proceed, with the amend- t merits made by them. He moved that the report lie on the tabic and be printed. . Mr Massey would, in view of the im- I portance of the measure and the \ general interest taken in its provisions, ] like to see an early date fixed for the j second reading. He urged that the usual half hour limit would be found quite inadequa’c for the proper dis- c mission of the measure in the second f reading debate. v The Hon. the Premier, with regard r to the first point, fixed 7.30 on Tuesday r evening next for the second reading. , With regard to the suggestion to have the time limit standing order sus- 2 pended for the debate, he thought it 0 would be necessary to have some assur- \ ance from the hon. gentleman that the e concession would not be used by any of j. his party for the purpose of obstruction. Mr Massey intimated that to be im- 1 possible as well as unlikely. r The hon. the Premier said there 1 were a great many rumours ot inten- c tion to stonewall and preparations all lor the purpose of destroying the Bill. . Mr Massey said he had no knowledge whatever of any preparations for ' obstruction. He could say there \ would not be anything but fair discus- g sion from his side of the House. He jrepeated that the half hour would be j quite insufficient. How could he reply to the Minister of lands who \ would have an hour ? It would be l unfair to confine him to the lesser limit. _ c The Premier pointed out that the extension of the speaking time for the second reading debate would proportionately delay the committee J work and so take too much of the 1 time at their disposal, which was none t too long as it was for the work. He c would, however, be glad to help , suspend the standing order so as to give the leader of the Opposition an hour for his speech. (Applause.) The motion was agreed to. 1