THE LAND BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8558, 18 October 1907, Page 5

THE LAND BILL.

(By Telegraph—Parliamentary Cor-

respondent.)

WELLINGTON, October 17.

The House of Representatives went promptly into committee on the Land Bill on assembling this afternoon. At clause G6, relating to the value of land compulsorily under the principal Act, the Hon. R. McNab moved a very Ion? jmenlment, the object' of which was to give owners of land the right to raise valuations to any extent they pleased, and the valuation so placed upon land would be accepted by the Government in acquiring the land under the compulsory powers. Improvements would be valued separately and the land tax assessed on the owners' valuation.

Mr W. F. Massey said he failed to see in what way the new provision was an improvement on the existing law. The Taxation Department would derive the only benefit. From these'tiers' point of view, he considered this the most objectionable clause in the Bill. He moved an amendment for the purpose of deciding whether any alteration should be made in the law relating to the compulsory acquisition of land. Mr W. Herries, resuming the discussion 'at the evening sitting, admitted that the new proposal was an improvement on the clause contained in the Bill, but contended that it would I e burdensome en settlers, particularly as regards local rates. Mr Massey's amendment was lost by 45 to 21. The clause is still being discussed.