THE LAND AT HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 218, 3 February 1913, Page 5

THE LAND AT HOME.

DEPRESSING CONDITIONS. STARVATION WAGES. THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY. SPEECH 15V MR. LLOYI) GEORGE. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Received 2, 5.5 p.m. London. February 2. Mr. Lloyd George, speaking at the National Liberal Club, said that (he foremost task in the near future was the regeneration of rural life, and the emancipation of the land from the paralysing <nip of a rusty, efl'ete and unprofitable system. The bind ought to produce twofold its present output. The remedy was not a tax on food, nor to crush the land In fresh taxation.

Mr. Lloyd George denied the suggestion that the Government had conducted x clandestine enquiry into the private personal attains of land owners with a view to making attacks oil political opponents. The Government merely tilled gaps that were incomplete in reports of previous investigations. It was impossible to get unfettered evidence through official enquiries. The results of the enquiry would soon be published, and he forecasted startling results. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, were employed on the land under conditions which ought to make a great empire hang its head with shame. The work.■ls were not paid enough to keep their wives and children above semi-starva-tion. Land was held under conditions which would discourage capital and brains being invested ill its development. Many rural workers were driven to the towns. The depressing wagts were creating unemployment. The remedy ought to cover both country and towns with labor. It was to everyone's interest to see that the land was placed on a business footing. PRESS CRITICISM. DIFFERENCES IN THE GOVERNMENT Received 2, 5.5 p.m. London. February L The Pall Mall Gazette says that Mr. Lloyd George's speech confirms the postponement of his pet land programme pending the settlement of the Education Bill. The Daily Mail interprets the speech as an indication of differences with Mr. Asquith with respect to next session's programme.