THE LAND BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 134, 24 October 1912, Page 5

THE LAND BILL.

IN COMMITTEE. Bj Telegraph—Prose Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House resumed at 7.30. The House went into committee on the Land Bill. At clause 3, dealing with town planning, Mr. Myers advised the bringing of a town planning expert from England, even if the appointment were only a temporary one. The Minister said that the Bill was not a town planning measure. They were simply making experiments with the subject. Dr. Newman moved an amendment to the efl'ect that all' rights-of-way shall be (50 feet wide. The Prime Minister declined to accept the amendment on the ground that the adoption of such a motion, would mean placing difficulties in the way of those who desired to cut up their land. The amendment was lost by 48 to 19, and the clause passed. Later on Mr. Davey urged that something should be done to prevent people with capital from going into a land ballot, and thereby preventing poor opponents from getting on to the land. The Prime Minister said that he had sympathy with the proposal, and if possible regulations would he drafted dealing with the subject. The intention was, lie said, in answer to Mr. Forbes, that landless applicants and those who had been for two years unsuccessful at the ballots had to be the first satisfied.

Mr. Malcolm urged that the man who had sold his Crown lease should never be again allowed to take part in a land ballot. He suggested that instead of a ballot land should be thrown open for selection at the market value. Mr. Witty hoped that no such suggestion would ever be entertained. The clause giving preference to landless applicants was passed unamended. At clause 8, providing that the Minister may postpone payment of rent by a Crown tenant when relief is deemed necessary on account of natural causes- or otherwise, the Prime Minister explained that the object of the clause was that every case for remission should be considered on its merits. Mr. R. W. Smith moved to amend the clause so as to provide that the amount of rent proposed shall not exceed four yeaTs' rent, instead of three years proposed in the Bill. Mr. Massey submitted that the postponement for three years was as much as the St.-.te could afford. After midnight the amendment was lost on the voices. At clause 9, dealing with the exchange of national endowment lands for other areas of equal value, Mr. Russell moved that such exchanges should he subject to a recommendation by the Land Purchase Board. There was nothing in the clause as to the limitation of the extent of endowment land to be exchanged. The Minister replied that the clause was to affect only small areas of three, four or five acres. He had himself intended to add such a provision as Mr. Russell suggested. The clause passed, with Mr. Russell's amendment, and the House rose.