PROGRESS MADE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 November 1940, Page 6

PROGRESS MADE

ON SMALL FARMS BILL OPPOSITION AMENDMENT DEFEATED. FIGHT FOR FREEHOLD RIGHT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Another day was occupied by the House of Representatives yesterday with further discussion on the Small Farms Amendment Bill. A divison was taken during the afternoon on the amendment moved by the Opposition on the previous night to have the Bill referred back to the Government for further consideration, the amendment being defeated by 41 votes to 19. By a similar margin the Bill was read a second time last night after the Minister of Lands. Mr Langstone, had replied to Opposition criticism. The final second reading speaker for the Opposition was the leader of the party. Mr Holland, this being his first speech in debate since his appointment on Tuesday to his new office. The Opposition. he said, was going to fight, with all the vigour at its command, for the right of the returned soldier to become the owner of his farm. The leashold form of tenure was defended by Mr Langstone, who said that when the Bill became law it would be virtually a returned soldiers' settlement act. No land would be acquired unless it was suitable for the settlement of three or more additional settlers. After the Bill had been read a second time the House went into committee on the clauses. The short title was passed a few minutes after midnight by 35 votes to 14. Progress was then reported and the House rose at 12.8 a.m. till 10.30 a.m. today.