THE GOVERNMENT POLICY. Bills Prepared for Introduction. Wellington, March 22.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 196, 26 March 1887, Page 5

THE GOVERNMENT POLICY. Bills Prepared for Introduction. Wellington, March 22.

The Legislative Council Reform Bill is not likely to be carried beyond the second reading in the comiug session, the object being chiefly to place it before the country during the general eleotion. The Criminal Code Bill will be again introduced, but in case little progress should be made with it, Mr Tole will substitute a short alternative bill embodying the most urgently needed criminal reform?, chiefly those relating to protection of children and young girls from assaults, and raising the age of consent, which is expected to be fixed at 16. According to the " Times," the bill to be introduced providing for the resumption of private lauds for purposes of genuine 89ttlement will empower the colony to expropriate private freeholds only in particular circumstancee.ond within prescribed limits. It is said that in cases where a landowner is mortgaged "up to his eyes," and has no prospect of being able to free himself, the measure will enable the Government to take over the land with his consent, to release its mortgage, and then open it up for settlement on perpetual lease, thus bringing it into actual use instead of its being left to lie useless and un reproductive for years. It is held that this will relieve many an overburdened landed proprietor, while bringing under settlement a wide area of excellent land, suitable for the maintenance of an industrial popula| tion.