THE LAND COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7842, 7 June 1905, Page 2

THE LAND COMMISSION.

SHITTING OUT EVIDENCE. O'er Press Association.) FKILDING, Juno G. Tho Land Commission's sitting occupied four hours. A lurge number of settlers were in attendance. Nine witnesses were oxainincd, of whomtwo were in favour of the leasehold, one preferred leasif-in-perpetuity and was against freehold, and the rest ! all favoured freehold. G. Wheeler, the first settler in thq Manchester Block, considered settlers should have the choice of freehold of jleasehold. Land Boards were pieces jof machinery out of which he could get no satisfaction. Ho considered the tenants of Ireland under lendloixlh were better oil than leaseholders under the Government of New. Zealand.

J. Fergusson, OKakune, represented the farmers of that district in favour of the freehold. He was sorry the Commission did not sit in that locality. At this point the Chairman said it was time to close, when Mr Vile, asked why, in face of the fact that so much time was given [to the South Island, the Commission Wilis skipping over tile Xorth Island. Tiic Chairman explained that circumstances had arisen which made it necessary for the Commission to get bauk as soon as possible. ! Mr Vile stated his intention of wiring Mr Seddon for an explanation At the conclusion of the meeting it was found that fU'ty-thrco farmers were willing; to give evidence in' favour of the freehold. There were loud lories of "Froehold for ever," und for some minutes there was quite an uproar. A number of witnesses journeyed to Palmerston to endeavour to givo evidence there. PAIjMEIISTON NORTH, June 6. The land Commission sat here this afternoon and to-night, and heard a, numlijcr of wi tnesses, who were principally in favour of freehold.