THE LAND QUESTION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 113, 28 September 1912, Page 5

THE LAND QUESTION

THE FREEHOLD TENURE. By Telegraph—Own Correspondent. Wellington, Last Night. A brief but interesting statement respecting the Government's land policy was made by the Prime Minister .this afternoon, lie referred to some remarks (hat had been made bv p:i-t Ministers on the subject in 1892. For instance, the Hon. W. Rolleston bad said that there should be as little, interference as possible on • the part of the .State with the land, and that the freehold tenure should not be done away witlv. He (Mr. Rolleston) was in favor of the perpetual lease, but it should not take the place or do av/av with the freehold tenure. Tf that meant anything, said Mr. .Massey, it meant that Mr. Rolleston thoroughly approved of the principle of freehold'tenure, at the same time maintaining the opinion that any man who cared to take up leasehold shuld be allowed to do so. Mr. G. W. Russell: We have never proposed to do away with the freehold. Mr. Massey went on to say that Sir George Grey had been referred to in the House as the "Father of Liberalism," and he quoted from his speeches to the effect that it would-be an injustice to take away forever the right'of the freehold.