THE LAND BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 136, 26 October 1912, Page 5

THE LAND BILL.

By Telegraph—Press Association. ,„; Wellington, l-nday. After 2 4"i» the Laml Bijl further eonsi'derj&l in committee. Clause 30 and 81, providing that settlement laud may be held in fee simple, were postponed. In clause 32, dealing with the limitation area, Mr. Wilford moved an amendment providing that the limitation of area provisions shall apply to any area of land which is, or wais at any time, settlement land. He also moved that every certificate of title should bear upon it an endorsement that land comes under this restriction. , The Prime Minister said he could not accept the first part of the amendment, which would affect 1,000,000 acres, but lie would be willing to accept the second portion of his proposal. On the motion of Mr. Wilford, it was decided that every document of title should beaT a statement that it is subject to the restriction contained in the clause. At 2.35 ajn. progress .was .reported. Wellington, Last Night. The House resumed consideration of the Land Bill in committee. Mr. Massey moved to eliminate clause 31, enabling the fee simple of land for settlement leasehold to be acquired at the present value, with a view to making the provision clearer. Mr. Laurenson said that Parliament by acquiescing in the proposal would be committing a-.national crime. He protested against such an iniquitous clause. Replying to Mr. Russell, Mr. Herriea said that the freehold was not refused to renewable lessees of ordinary Crown lands.

Later. Mr. Massey informed Mr. Ruesell that the reason why the freehold was not conceded to renewable leaseholders on Crown land was that the whole of it was endowment land. Mr. Massey added that next year another Bill would be introduced dealing with l.i.p. tenants on lands for settlement land. Finally, he strongly defended the freehold as the best for the settler and the best for the eountrv as a whole. Mr. Witty contended "that land let on lease belonged to the people, and the Government had no right to dispose of

In answer to further questions by Mr. Russell the Prime Minister said that there was no intention of affecting the status of national endowment lands. The principle of the clause was to give lessees the option of the freehold at a price to be computed as between the original value and the present day value, leas the increased value, which the State cannot take account of until the end of the term of the lease .

Mr. Forbes contended that the men who fought for the leasehold were the best friends of the farmer, because they had kept in the background of the agitation for taxation of land values. Mr. Robertson contended that the Government's idea that peace and prosperity would be spread over the land by the carrying of freehold proposals was quite erroneous. * Mr. Mac Donald did not think that advantage would be taken of the Government's freehold proposals. After midnight the House continued the discussion in committee of clause 31 of the Land Bill,

A new clause, moved by Mr. Massey, providing that one-third of the value of native land placed in the hands of the Government for settlement purposes may be advanced to native owners, was carried.

Mr. Davey moved an amendment disqualifying successful competitors at a ballot from again taking part therein. This was lost bv 30 to 14.

, The Bill was reported with amendments, amid applause from both sides of the House. The third reading was postponed until next sitting day, and the House rose.