Legislative Council.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8860, 10 July 1907, Page 3

Legislative Council.

Press Association. Wellington, July 9. Tho Council mot at 2.30. ■ Tho Hon. Anstcy resumed tho debate on the Addross-m-Reply. Ho gave a qualified approval to the proposal to change tho name of the colour to that of dominion, and spoke on tho land‘question at considerable length, giving a general •vnurnv'il of the Government’s proposals With regard to the endowmoiit question, lie said it was proper that tho small residue of Crown lands should bo set aside and reserved for leasehold, for tiie demand for leasehold lands would always be greater than the supply. He agreed that the limitation of holdings was essential, and tho best method of reducing the holdings was through a graduated land tax, but tho tax should not commence too low down. It should commence from tho point at which the economic area was exceeded, and proceed on a steadily rising scale. Tho proposal to substitute tiO rears for leaso-in-perpetnity was not altogether satisfactory, as no one |could estimate tho value of land at tho end of tho term. In his opinion, tho lease should go on as at present, with a revaluation every 21 years. The Hon. Sinclair followed, and apnroved of the dominion proposal. Ho* thought tho graduated land tax the proper method of reducing .large holdings, but whatever system was adopted it was essential that small landholders should occupy tho lands of tho colony. He offered hearty congratulations to the Attorney-

General on his appointment to that position. Ho regarded tho labour laws as tho .Magna Cliarta of industrial life,' and ho hoped that where they needed amendment they •would be amended. Dr. Collins referred to the Council of Defence, the setting up of which would prove beneficial to tho colony and lie would like to see every youth in tho colony taught to handle the riflo. Referring to Mental Hospitals, ho paid a tribute to the late Dr. McGregor. Ho hoped a bill would bo brought down providing for the separation of those who are temporarily mentally afflicted from those that are hopelessly insane, and he would also like to see an institution established for epileptics. The Hon. Jones moved tho adjournment of tho debate. The Council rose at 3.80,