THE LEASEHOLD PRINCIPLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1920, Page 8

THE LEASEHOLD PRINCIPLE.

BILL AGAIN TALKED OUT. FUTURE OF NATIONAL ENDOWMENTS. (By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The Te Aroha Crown Leases Bill occupied the afternoon in Parliament today, and once more was talked out by leaseholders on the Opposition and Labor benches. This Bill proposes to grant the freehold to tenants of Te Aroha town sections, which are held at present on a mining lease, the rentals going to the local body. Supporters of the Bill say that if the freehold is granted the local oody can collect rates, and the Government, which at present receives nothing will receive the purchase money. Leasebold members, however, profess to see In the Bill a sacrifice of , State interests | and a threat to national endowments! When the Lands Committee, on August 2U, recommended that the Bill should he allowed to proceed, the report was talked out. The suspended debate was resumed this afternoon, and leaseholders again talked determinedly until the 3.30 p.m. adjournment, thus keeping the Bill in dispense. They are prepared to repeat; the effort, and it is evident that if the Government intends to push the measure through this session some considerable expenditure of time will be required. Mr. Massey was drawn into the argument towards the end of the debate. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon) was saying that the members who supported the Pill would also support the sale of national endowments if it was proposed. Mr. Massey: "There is no such proposal before the House." Mr. Sullivan: "I am very glad to bear that there is no proposal to dispose of endowment lands." Mr. Massey: "I did not say that." Mr. Sullivan: ''Perhaps I misunderstood the Prime Minister. I should like to hear exactly what he did mean." Mr. Massey: "You wait and see. I

will make no rash promises."