THE LAND BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81917, 29 January 1907, Page 2

THE LAND BILL.

FARMFKS' MFFTIXC AT RAIIOTU From Our Own Correspondent. A representative meeting' of farmers was Field in the hall on .Saturday to protest against the passing of the Uiut JJill in its present form. Mr Jiieaklcy, eliainnau of the Rahotu Fanner's Union, occupied the chair, and briefly explained the object of the meeting, stating: that they had mot to hear tile views of farmers from other parts of the district. Mr 8. Forsyth (Pihama) said the niosii, objectionable part of the bill was the endowment clause, which deprived the occupier of the hind of the right of freehold. That was the slumb ling block. Doing away with the option of fee freehold was what '.he Socialists had been aiming at for years. They wanted people of the colony to recognise Ihe (Slate as the landlord. If the land was to be gradually taken from the settler, he r eventually only be allowed a very small portion, and ho would then have to pay 5 per cent, on the value, which would be equal to paying rent on his own laud. The Minister of Lands was a freeholder, but he apparently wanted all largo, landowners to bring -.heir holdings down to the same size a> his. If the Hill passed in its present form the small farmer would be placed at a disadvantage, which was not consistent with (he"action of the Oovcrniiiciit which professed to do everything for (he small farmer and working man. He referred to the good the Farmer's Union had done. Jlail il not been for them the countrv would not have had a chance to give an expression of opinion on the maiilcr. through the farmer's Union the rates of insurance li.nl been reduced, and if tlicv continued and helned each other (hey would make themselves a power and be able to get the advantages Hint Ihev were entitled 10. Mr J.'iSuvgoss (Warea) said that when the Land Hill was introduced' in the middle of a weak session no one thought that anything serious would lake place, but il proved 'io lie the most revolutionary measure leaf was ever brought forward, without giving Hie country a chance to speakon il. "If (hat i's Hie work of Liberals, then Heaven save us from them." hi. said. V.e did net believe that ,v' .losoph Ward believed in the Bill, and the only reason he went on wdtli it was to obtain tile opportunity io burst ii]) and re-construet. ft was only the towns that endorsed the Minister's views, and when lUic Minister went into a district where farmers had to pay fm the land and work if, he found that they were opposed to the Hill. As far as assisting the farmer's Union, every member should net as a missionary, get more members, and then it would become a power, ilr \V. .1. Brennan (Opnnakc) said ho did not know that he would be eal-

led upon to speak, as he thought the speakers before him had traversed nil .he ground. "R is not exactly what tlie present Bill contains that "causes .so much objection." said the speaker, but what will follow if it becomes law. It is now limited to £lf>.ooo value.

but it Mould soon be brought down to C 10,000, and gradually come lower. A man who has a bit of" freehold is a happy man, but the leaseholder is in ii constant slate of ferment. 11,. objects to improvement*, because somebody else will get 'the bcuclit of it. -Mr JSroiman believed the present Hill contained the notions of the lion Mr J'owlds, and thought he was the father of it. If the people could get Ward, l-'owids and Co. 4o go on the land for some time, they would give colonists a far different Kill to the present one. The farmers should club together and make their power irresistible, and then they would not he taxed out of their

land. It was their duty to i-oiiibiili! ( to assist themselves. I Mr .10. Maxwell (Ualiolji) was ,f .'.;. inion Hint it was tho principle of the I liill that they had to look at. When j a man got land from Die Crown he naturally thought ho hail the P>ritishits at his hack (o sec that lie to tained it, provided ho got it honestly an.l paid for it. Tho present Dili wan cutting at the root of the. liberty and success of Ihi' British nation. Tt should not he a question of quality if a mnn got it fairly. If Hie liovernmoiit .started reducing' a mini's area one di.l not knpw where i't would end. A member of the llnnse told him tiiey (took it 'out ilt; the .tanner because they could get at the land. A mcrebant might be far wealthier than the farmer, but h'e wan too hard to get at. The Vnion had done a lot for ilie fanner, and' the moire the said fanner supported it, tiie more eoukl be done for him.

Air iluglrson (merchant Kahotu) did not believe in the aggregation of ' large estates, but thought the. optional system of acquiring the land were far the best for the colony. The following resolution was carried uiiarioiousiv on the motion of Messrs Maxwell and Chapman: "That tin's meeling of farmers, held at Kaiiotu. is ununimoiisJv opposed to the land Hi" as draft oil, and will be satisfied wiih no bill that docs not provide for the option of the freehold." NOXIOUS WKTCDS. Air llurgoss proposed the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr Morrow and carried: "That this meeting is opinion that the Inspector of Xoximrs Wecjjs should lie urged io enforce the Act moie strictly,' imperially in the ease of native and Crown [ lands.as allowing ragwort and blackberry in particular io seed, is a source of great loss and anxiety'to the farmers who are anxious to keep their holdings clear." OPUNAKfi If.VliTiOUTt. Mr T. P. Iluglison proposed, and Afr J. Lawn seconded, the following resolution, which was carried :''That the attention of the farmers Ire called to the necessity of taking steps for furthering the shipping facilities iu the o»unakis Harbour," ;, ; 1