HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5177, 20 August 1885, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Yesterday. The House met at 2.30.

In replying to questions, it was stated that Government had received no intimation as to the Agent-General's resignation; that the information as to the intention of Government respecting the East and West Coast railway would be found in the Public Works Statement.

The House went into Committee on the Property Law Consolidation Act Amend ment Bill, which was passed through Com mittee with an additional clause.

The House weut into Committee for the further consideration of the Land Bill. In clause 56, in the course of forfeiture, payment to be in the discretion of the Board.—Mr Donald Reid took exception to this clause, pointing out that great hardship would result to small holders, who, in the case of forfeiture, would re- ! ceive no compensation for improvements. —Mr Scobie McKenzie mo red to omit 1 from the clause the words " subject to the approval of the Governor."—The amend*, ment was lost on a division by 45 to 19.— A lengthy discussion ensued on clause. 64, providing that leases, &c, be signed by a Commissioner, and covenants and condi* tions as to rent transfers, an«! to operate as if inserted in all leases.—Mr Donald Reid moved to strike out the words " every lease and license shall be subject to the convenants expressed in the Property Law Consolidation Act, 1883, in relation to the payment of rent and distress"—Mr Ballance agreed to accept the amendment. In clause 70—" The Board may hold inquiry and cancel the lease or license in certain cases "—Mr Pyke moved the following addition : " Provided always that the boards have discretionary power to dispense with personal residence on satis factory reasons being given for non-resi-dence."—During the discussion which ensued, Mr Pyke said the land laws of the colony were penal laws, and he should in all cases treat this bill, uot as a consolidation bill, but as a measure to amend the law.—Sir G. Grey said the people in respect to land were not better than slaves : they were compelled to pay for their iami, and then all sorts of hard conditions and restrictions were imposed on them. They bad no representation ou the Laud Boards, for the members of those Boards were nominated by landowners, —Mr Rolleston said Sir G. Grey's arguments went to do away with any conditions being imposed.—Sir G. Grey said he wae arguing in favor of condition!

without money payments.—Mr Ivess did not think uniform conditions of resi- j dence for six years would be calculated j to advance settlement.—Mr Pyke con- | tended that the present Minister of Lands, as well as the late Minister, were theorists, and had no idea of tbe proper way to settle the people on the land. Speaking of the present system, he said whole families were driven to leave the colony because of the harshness of the Land Boards of Otago.—Mr Hursthouse thought the dif- i ferenco between the Minister of Lands, the member for Dunstan, and the member for Auckland City East, was a difference of degree as to' tbe conditions of deferred payments. He said that under ordinary circumstances a residence should be enforced, but he thought the power might be left with the Land Uonrds. It was. rea* I sonable to give those Boards some diecre-, tionary powers to act in the mannerdesired. —Mrßallance said the object of giving the Boards the powers confered on themselves was to prevent dummyism. He hoped the Committee would not accept ,:jtb.e amendment of the member for Dunstan—Sir G. Grey said they were now discussing the most important.matter that: had been before them, and he thought it would not be out of place to devote a whole session to the consideration of the Bill, as was done in New South Wales. He asked what would happen if one portion of the population were to own a large tract of land and never reside on it but to draw large rents? He thought it would lead to the poor tax system being introduced. He bad for along time administered the affairs of a country in which tbe perpetual leasing system was in force, and it really amounted to a land tax. That was the reason why he wished to see it here. — Mr Scobie McKenzie supported the amendment of the member for Dunstan.—Mr Pyke's provisco was finally carried on a division by 45 to 34.—1n Clause 76, providing that on the forfeiture of a deferred payment license the Commissioner may sue for arrears, Mr Donald Reid moved that this clause be struck out.—The amendment was lost by 37 to 24.—1n clause 106, providing there are several applicants the land is to go to auction, Mr Ivess moved that in event of two persons applying for one section, the land should go to the person first applying, and making it a penal offence to wrongfully mark the application as to the time when they were received. —Mr Ballance said that would not be practicable.—Mr Duncan suggested that public competition by tender be struck out, and ballot inserted.—Mr Ivess accepted this, and withdrew his amendment.—Mr Duncan's amendment elicited a lengthy discussion, and was lost by 38 to 27. This day. On Clause 110, Mr Pyke moved a promise that after the expiration of three years from the date when any block of land has been open for selection the price of any unsold section in such block may be reduced to cash or upset price as the case may bo, carried; on clause 135, the Board may reduce original valuation of improvements, Mr Pyke objected, pointing but that it was too wide, and that under it the Board might reduce the valuation of im* provements from £500 to £5. After a short discussion the amendment was carried inserting the'words " with tbe consent of the original selector.' 1 Progress was then reported ; the bills which had been agreed to in the afternoon were read a third time and passed, and the House rose at 1.10 am.