THE LAND BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 130, 19 October 1912, Page 4

THE LAND BILL.

THE SECOND" MADIXG DEBATE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Xight. * The debate on the second reading of the Land Bill was resumed by Mr. Sykes, who upheld the freehold tenure. It would be a good bargain for the State if all L.i.l'. Crown tenants acquired the freehold. Mr. liuxton urged that the Government should take steps for the cutting up of private estates, by providing that the Government would guarantee the purchase money for which private purchasers had made themselves responsible. He also urged that the chances of an applicant at a land ballot should depend to a certain extent on the number of his children. Mr. 11. W. Nmith considered that the holders of small grazing runs should be given the freehold under the easiest possible conditions. The proposals of the Government were all in favor of the wealthy land-owner.

Mr. Hanau said that he was convinced I that the Bill was not going to give satisfaction to the majority of members in the House. It was apparent that the Bill did not bear out the promises made on the platform by members of the Government when it faced the country as an Opposition. Mr. Wilson complained that the great trouble to-day was that country boys were coming to town. On the other hand people in the towns had not sufficient facilities to settle on rural areas. He wanted "a right to hold" for city people. Mr. Laurenson commended the townplanning section, biit held that it did not go far enough. He urged the doubling of the land tax on bachelors. This Bill would not prevent reaggregation. He agreed with the .sale of LLP. lands, but it would be a betrayal to sell renewable leases. He considered the suggestion monstrous that a Maori should be subject to the same law in relation to land as Europeans. 1 Such a procedure would be a blot upon our national honor. Mr. Mluider thought that the Land Board should see that unsuccessful balloters were put upon the land, as was done in Canada. He thought it would be a good idea to exchange or sell endowment lands if it benefited the State.

Messrs. Okey and Ell continued 'the debate. Mr. Brady advocated the freehold, with a limited area. At 12.4.3 Mr. t'raigie announced to a bare quorum that he was going to be. against the Bill, which he described as reactionary, and a measure in favor of property and wealth. Mr. Massev replied just after 1 p.m. He said that he believed that the Bill, when it came into operation, would tftop the exodus of 'Our young men to Australia, He intended to give the tenants of settlement lands the. freehold at the original value. He reiterated the statement that the -natives had offered 250,0(10 acres to be cut up. He knew that a lot of sharks, both European and Maori, were fattening on the sale of native lands, and the Government intended to put an end to it. Regarding the fruit industry, it was intended to start canneries and cooleries as soon as money would permit. On a division the Bill was read a see ond lime by 43 to 17, and the House rose at 1.50.