POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 63, 8 April 1909, Page 2

POLITICAL.

PKOJIAIILH CHAXOIOS IX THE CABINET. By Telegi'ajih.—Press Association. AVanganui, April 7. The Herald is informed on wrmi it says is good authority that further' changes in the personnel of the Cabinet are contemplated shortly, involving the retirement of the Hon. .James Carroll from the position of Native .Minister, and the re-arrangement of other portfolios.

MB. MASSEY OX THE COMING SKSSION. Auckland, Last Xiglit. A remark to the effect that he had heard it seriously rumoured that another Land Hill was to be introduced during the next session was made by -Mr. Massey in the course of his l!ucklanil speech. Subsequently a Herald re. presentative interviewed' Air. Massey on this point. " [ do not know, of course, what business will he brought before the House," said the Opposition' leader, "but I am iueiined to prophesy I that the session will be rather more interesting than usual. There are a number of matters that I think the House will want to know about. I heard in more than one quarter that we are to have a Land Bill, hut I should have thought the Government would have let that question severely alone. 1 notice Ministers have been trying to convince some audiences that we have the best land laws in the world, hut I don't agree with them," added Mr. Massey. The Opposition leader went on to remark that once the freehold incentive to settlement which settlers liad under the optional system was removed, settlement would suffer, and he knew that it was suffering now, where lands had been opened only on leasehold tenure. If a vote of the farmers and settlers and intending settlers were taken to-morrow, 009 out of every 1000 would vote for the optional system. The settlers knew what was best for themselves and best for the land, and what was best for the land was best for the State.