THE LAND QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 93, 28 July 1910, Page 5

THE LAND QUESTION.

THE DEBATE CONTINUED. ' By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent. Wellington, Last Night. In the House this evening the debate on Mr. Massey's amendment was resumed. Mr. Fraser*, who said his views on the land question were to be found in Hansard, remarked that they had not changed, nor was he ashamed of them* Administration was more, important than legislation. The whole system of turning Parliament into a board of woflcs was demoralising.. 'He claimed the rieht to interrogate Parliament, tout it fre- r quently happened that questions went unanswered He had asked for information as to the rate of interest paid on certain temporary loans, but so far had been vouchsafed no satisfactory reply. Parliament had the right to full information concerning these loans. Referring to the debts extinction proposals, Mr. Fraser questioned the practicability of the scheme. Sinking funds ought to be in the hands of commissioners independent of the Government. He attacked the .cooperative system of railway construction, which was extravagant. He was strongly of opinion that retrenchment should be made, not in times of depression, but in prosperous times, ao. that the least possible distress be caused thereby. Mr. Stallworthy described the bringing down of an amendment at the present juncture as a farce, and pointed out various statements of members of the Opposition which did not agree with each other. Many of those agitating for freehold would not sell the freehold of their own lands, but leased them out. He condemned Mr. Massey's proposal to sell the freehold of settlement lands and purchase further estates, which would be bad policy for the State. Native lands were being largely secured by speculators. What was wanted was, nos security of tenure, for leasehold was secure tenure, but security against the SDeculative use of lands. It was a great pity that so many people had acquired lands at the ballot who failed to settle on the property, but taxed those who were willing to work. This was the evil which called for remedy.