THE LAND BILL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 92, 27 July 1910, Page 5

THE LAND BILL

MR. MASSEY MOVES AX AMENDMENT. By Telegraph. —Press Association. Wellington, Last 'Night. There was a full tendance in the Hons? and the gallerie- ;his evening when Hv. Massey opened tY- Budget debate. He moved is an amendment, "That as the prosperity, of this country depends so much upon the settlement of the land, this House is of opinion that the I-legis-lature should make provision this session for additional 'facilities for the occupation and most profitable use of the lands of the Crown—"(a) By extending the optional system both to Crown and land-for-settle-ment lands, and by removing every 'hindrance to the exercise of the option which enables the settler to take up land under the occupation with right of purchase. "(b) By providing that all lessees under lease in perpetuity shall have the right to purchase their freeholds at the original value, either 'by instalments or otherwise, but where they have been paying 4 per cent, they shall in addition pay such an amount as will make their payment equivalent to what they would have paid had they 'held their leases on a 5 per cent, basis. "(c) By securing) the limitation of area of the freeholds so acquired. "(d) By utilising the moneys derived from the sale of freeholds for the acquisition of further lands for settlement. "(e) By providing for the speedier opening up of the surplus native lands for settlement purposes, thereby making such lands contribute their fair stare to the general and local taxation of the country." Mr. Massey said that he would later on test tihe opinion of the House 011 the optional .tenure, and as to whether endowment lands should be sold and the money invested in more suitable hinds. He would bring down a proposal to give the optional tenure to those who nad taken up land under tlie renewable lease. If the optional system were applied to Crown lands there would be a steady flow of capital for land for settlement purposes, thus doing away to some extent with tihe necessity for borrowing. The last clause of the amendment, Mr. Massey described as most important. Native ownership in its present torm was a ctase to the country. In many districts the settlement of native lands was a paramount question. He quoted figures showing that for the two years ending March, 1908, Maori lands had been, rated at £2940, and the amounit paid was £7 10s od. He hoped, before tihe session was concluded, that something would be done to remove this anomalous state of affairs. Dealing with tihe .land question proper; he regretted the Government giove no details 01 its policy. The House knew what the country wanted, It wanted progressive settlers. ' Figures proved that the Minister far 'Lands had not been sufficiently energetic in opening up lands for settlement. The Opposition stood for ireeiiiold and closer settlement. He congratulated the Government 011 bringing down the Financial Statement at sucn an early period of the session, but said the Statement showed the Government had no policy to offer. Last session the House had passed -measures largely increasing taxation on all classes. The Budget proclaimed a period of prosperity. Yet no proposals were made to lighten tihe taxpayers' load. Referring to local government, Mr. Massey criticised the proposal to transfer to the new councils to be set up under the proposed Bill, tihe work and functions of education boards, which would: be a great mistake. Referring to the Extinction of Debts Bill, Mr. Massey said that if tihe sinking funds were safeguarded from needy treasurers' grip it would be worthy of support, criticising financial matters, he said the expenditure was too high and 'the burdens j on the people too heavy. Mr. Malcolm seconded the amendment. Mr. Massey, before, concluding, reimamked that he had sent a copy of tihe amendment to the. Premier early in the day, and asked' him if he intended mak•ing it, a no-eonftdence motion. THE PREMIER IN REPLY. Sir Joseph Ward said he had not received a copy of tihe amendment. He could only treat the amendment as a motion of no-confidence. Mr. Massey, he said, did not know what the proposals of the Government were on the land question. The proposals of Mr. Massey 1 would rob tlie Dominion of a large sum of money. Sir Joseph Ward detailed the vanions modes oi land settlement, and claimed that under the present administration and its predecessor 33,542 people had settled on tihe lands under permanent tenures, comprising 8,523,991 | acres, the value of the same being, in round figures, close on six millions. Yet Mr. iMaissey complained of inactivity in connection witJi land settlement. Referring to native lands, Sir Joseph Ward said legislation would be introduced to get over the difficulty of collecting rates on native lands. It was a fact that less land had been purchased this year than last. This was *sue to the fact tlliat holders of land had increased values so exorbitantly that the Government would root purchase the estates. The House would have an opportunity to deal with this difficulty. The Government was considering the question of compulsory legislation to effect the acquisition of estates at a fair valuations Since the passing of the State Guaranteed Advances Act, there ihad been more money lent to local bodies than in the previous four years. The new system had been generally appreciated by those who tested it by results. Sir Joseph Ward, referring to retrenchment, quoted the figures of the departments, S'liowinn* the savings effected, which amounted to £344,203 for the period during which the retrenchment j scheme had been in operation, about IS months. Regarding the debts extinction proposal, these would be him later. Such 11, system lmd never been inaugurated by any Parliament in the world. I Legislation will be introduced dealing with tin? native townships in regard to taxation. This may be imposed to meet the defence requirements of the Local Government Bill. This would not interfere with the education system. Wlmt was suggested was that in connection with bnildiii'j schools the Government proposes to hiuid over the money to the local authorities. MR. ALLEN'S CRITICISMS. Mr. Allen said the Premier had totally ig'ioved 4ie nnestion of hind settlement, The fact was the. Ministry was composed of men who were in conflict on the question. How. long had the House to wait far t'>e Government's lapd proposals? The Opposition would force th? Government to show its hand this session. Settlers were takintr .up land on renewable lease without knowing thnt in doing so thev ivere converting : ands into endowments, In the

course of ;( few years ''ie lands of the I Dominion would be largely convorted into leaseholds. Men were discouraged from taking up lands for cash or oil the optional system. He denied Unit the. Opposition were opposed to land for settlement legislation. The difficulty in connection with the ac-ijui.sitioii of estates for closer settlement was treated by the Government, which lmd abolished the Compensation Court and left it to land owners to value their estates. Sir J. G. Ward had not said a single word on the proposal in the amendment to sell the Crown lands and to utilise the imoney in purchasing lands for settlement. The Premier's statement regarding native lands w:-s unsatisfactory. He accused Sir J. G. Ward of making misleading .statements in regain! to Joans to local bodies. The Act I erf last session benefited kr{;e bodies, but imposed hardships 011 small local bodies, which, under the Loans to Local Bodies Act, had greater facilities for obtaining money at a low rate. In regard to sinking funds Mr. Allen approved of these, but said there were difficulties connected with them in the direction indicated by Mr. Massey. He attacked the system of railway construction, which was an extravagant one. and largely responsible (for -increased borrowing. HON. FOWLDS ON THE DEFENSIVE. The Hon. G. Fowlds, referring to the criticisms of Mr. Massey, said there was not the slightest incongruity in a single fcaxer working along with the freeholder, and referred to the differences of opinion amongst the members of the Opposition. The fact was that under the sinjgle tax the small farmers pay much less in taxation than they now do. Referring to Mr, Allen's remarks 011 land settlement, Mr. Fowlds recalled the fact that the former 'had voted in faivor of settlers having 3000 acres of first-class and 6000 acres of second-class land. He had also voted for the motion doubling tflie amount of land capable of being held by partners.