THE LAND CAMPAIGN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8297, 28 November 1906, Page 5

THE LAND CAMPAIGN.

THE HON. MR M'NAli AT ONEHUNGA.

By Telegraph-Press Association.

AUCKLAND, November 27. In opening the land campaign the Hon. Mr McNab delivered a clear f and'inoisive address at Onehanga to night to b large but not crowded audience. He disclaimed any attempt to interfere with the election, but held tbat it was his duty to make clear tlie position of tbe Government on the laud question, so thai] electors could make their choico : dellbeiaely ohoosing the course and consequences. He dwelt oh the evils which had grown up under a reckless system 'of disposal of land under tbe Provincial Government, and 6aid that .the late Sir John McKenzie's famous attempt had been the first to boldly grapple with the question of reform. He had asked for a quarter of a million yearly to recur-, chase properties for the people, and the power to oompnlabrily r«3ume, but in the course of years foar million pounds had been spent and still the land was not leasehold, but bad been surrendered and taken up again O.R.P. Sir John's intention had not been curried on*. This could not go on. I'hey would need threequarters of a million yearly to beep up the purchases an,d no Government coald stand it. Therefore the Ward Cabinet bad decided to face - the question, and tbe Land Bill was the outcome. They proposed to give holders, of leases the right practically of freebold, saving only to the State 10 per cent, of the capital value. That must be inalienable for ever. When the individual had paid up rent to the value of 5 per cent, he was to be released from all restrictions o£ *ransfct or cropping, and would be able to deal with the land as freely as the freeholder for the length of the lease. The moneys derived would not be squandered, but would be carefully invested t6 bring in 5 or SJ-g per cent, current interest. Eventually no money for land purchase would be horrowod from London. The bill would be provided wholly by the colony. He hoped that when he came back from touripg Auckland to put forward a policy which would satisfy all and s'ill the cry of the freeholder that freehold alone would do for Auckland. In regard to the rights of the leaseholder also, he stated that he would be treated as in life insurance. When ho bad paid-up over 50 per cent, of the capital value his property would not be conosoated for non-payment of rent, but any deHoit would ba paid out of sur'plua above 50 per cent, until that limit was reached. Then he could borrow or . draw -out the whole sum above 50 per cent., and repay if be chose by instalments. A resolution was passed approving of the Bill by a large majority. A counter proposa l condemning the Government for attemjrtiug to do away with the optional tenure failed.