THE LAND BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10088, 8 September 1910, Page 4

THE LAND BILL.

The Land Bill, the- introduction of which has been awaited with keen anticipation, was brought down in the House of Representatives yesterday. The measure, as briefly outlined by the Prime Minister, is of a striking, if not brilliant character. It contains several important new proposals, chief among which is that permitting the acquisition of further estates by lease, and the granting of the right of purchase to lessees. This proposal has doubtless been forced upon the Government by the inability to find sufficient money to purchase further estates outright. Until fuller details of the proposal are forthcoming, it is almost impossible-to offer ■ a criticism; but, on first blush, it, would appear that the Ministry has taken a bold, and almost revolutionary ' step. The granting of the right of purchase to Crown tenants at the original value, plus twenty-five per cent, after deducting improvements, is a decided improvement upon the measure introduced last session, and will douhtless find favour with a considerable section of the freeholders in the House. The withdrawal of the right to pay 90 per cent, of the purchase money of existing leases is at once an admission that the provision referred to is unpopular and unnecessary. Taking the Bill as outlined, one cannot help feeling that the Prime Minister has gone some distance towards solving the most important problem that affects the destiny of this young country.