PROPOSED LEGISLATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1070, 16 July 1912, Page 3

PROPOSED LEGISLATION.

THK HAND QUESTION.

interviewed at Wellington on Saturday, the Prime Minister, Hon. W. F. Massey, said be had given instructions to have several estates inspected with a view to purchase for closer settlement. In several cases negotiations were proceeding and as a beginning, it had been decided to acquire from the owner, Mr J. Lethbridge, the Sherenden estate, Hawke’s Bay, of about S3OO acres. This properly is considered well adapted for close settlement.

Referring to land tenures Mr Massey said there would be some legislation on the subject this session, but he was not prepared to say whether the Government would have time to face the big policy questions that would have to be dealt with. Certain matters of detail, however, had to be dealt with by statute. The Government, Mr Massey said, intended to push on with the workers’ dwellings scheme. Land for the purpose would be acquired wherever possible at a reasonable price.

The Hon. A. L. Herdman, At-torney-General, has been a persistent advocate for many years of Civil Service reform. When a private member he brought down a Bill session after session for placing the public service under the administration of an independent board. In reply to a question on Saturday, Mr Herdman said he had handed his Bill to the Law Uralting Department, with a view to having it put into working shape for submission to Parliament.