THE LAND BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 11 October 1913, Page 5

THE LAND BILL.

FURTHER DISCUSSED IN COMMTTTEE.

(By Trfeffrana.— Press Association*}'

. : *&st Mgh£. > ilduse of Repi-esentaiives « >On clause 18,: providing : that H a land board may-dispense with personal residence on the land, Mr G. Wi Russell contended that the clause would promote a system of dummyism. There were hundreds of farm labourers who had one or two hundred pounds who desired to get on. the land and farm it. Under the Bill, men in the towns earning £2OO or £3OO a year would be able to secure sections and after putting a manager on, sell and without ever having put a foot qui the section. Mr E. Newman argued, that Mr Russell assumed that men who would avail themselves of the clause , were single men, whereais it would be found that thrifty tradespeople and artisans would be the people who would benefit by putting their sons on the land. His only objection to the clause was that he considered the provision specifying double improvements was too severe.

The Prim© Minister accepted an amendment proposed by Mr McCal-" lum, providing that where the income of a man and his wife exceeded £3OO a year the clause of tfce-fßilr* giving exemption from residence shall:',,. not apply. '" ; ":- '■ ' : .-:- :: >^v :• Mr 1 Mac Donald held that the"-incßir; sum h l ad6pti|^'r:; ; -- ■* ■ : -:,Jftv that Ministlr; after hearing the adverse criticism of members, should withdraw it. : If it were allowed to' pass, it would nietn : an inorease of dummyism. i "."_■■" The Hon. W. F. Massey explained that in most cases the' substitutewould be the lessee's son. -He implored the House W vote "on the"quesK tion and be done with it. Mr Anderson moved an amendment giving a man whc. Tri-' telided to reside an the land.

Mr Massey said the effect wo;".: ~bo to kill the clause. He could nc. J ticcept it. . The House divided on the amendment, which was defeated by 33 votes to 27. At 1L30,p.m. a division was taken on clause 18, and resulted: For 33, against 38.