PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 82, 15 July 1910, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY.

In the Legislative Council this alternoon, the lion. G. Junes resumed the debate on the Address-in-Rcply. fle dealt at some length with the land question, and controverted the Hon. Sinclair's contention that the late Sir John McKenzie had made a one-sided bargain. If they granted the freehold the freeholders would take good care thai their land was not taxed. Already the freeholder had too strong a hold on the polities of this country. Hon. Jones proceeded to argue in favor of the leasehold system. He hoped the Government's promised Land Bill would be of an out-and-out leasehold character, and would not pander to the clamor for the freehold.

Hon. J. Marshall expressed the opinion that the present land laws were liberal, and should suit all desires. While approving the Government's water power scheme, he hoped it would still be possible for legitimate private enterprise to develop smaller streams. The Hon. Jas. McGowan contended that the lease in perpetuity was the worst form of tenure ever introduced in any country. Tenure was more important than anything else. Limitation of area was much less important than the limitation of time. If the principle of land tenure wore right there would be no need to find work for the unemployed; there would be no unemployed. There should not lie sold a single acre of land, nor should the Government lease a single acre for a longer period than 50 years. The Hon. T. K. McDonald, the mover, having briefly replied, the Address wag agreed to, and the Council rose. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, Last Night. The House met at 2.30. The Premier gave notice of ? motion to deal with the licensing of bookmakers and the totaliator; and made ft tatement in reference to the Knyrett ease. (Both of these matters are reported elsewhere.)