PARLIAMENT.

Patea Mail, 19 July 1882, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

“♦ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THE LAND BILL. This measure was under discussion on Monday, and again last, night. Opinion is generally favorable to Mr'Rolleston’s land scheme, though there is much diversity in detail.

Mr Stevens strongly urged the necessity for making Land Boards elective. He supported the Bill as a general proposal likely to encourage settlement, but he never liked leases without a purchasing clause, and to induce the sons of settlers to take up land ip the bush a provision should be inserted in the leases giving a right of purchase. He would suggest that every postmaster should be authorised to receive applications for land, and give receipts for payment. Mr Shrimski supported the Bill, and wondered at his side of the House opposing such a liberal measure. He was strongly in favor of elective Land Boards.

Mr Turnbull thought the speeches of Mr Hall and Mr Weston had settled the fate of Bill. He blamed Government for not standing or falling by a Bill of this kind. He strpngly opposed it as tending to discourage population and capital coming to the colony. He advocated giving land to settlers who would occupy it at a. cost simply sufficient to cover the cost of survey, but subject to a tax which would secure the public creditor to whom the public estate was pledged. Mr Bracken moved the adjournment of debate, and the House rose at 12.40.