TO-DAY'S PARLIAMENT.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 71, 21 September 1905, Page 6

TO-DAY'S PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Hon. J. D. Ormond moved for the preparation of a return showing the total acreage of unoccupied or unproductive native land in the North Island, with particulars of ownership, acreage, quality, etc., of blocks over 1000 acres. Mr. Ormond spoke at some length about the necessity of making use of these lands. The Hon. T. X., Macdonald seconded the motion, and declared that there was no question that the subject of native lands would have to be faced by the new Parliament next session. It was impossible to devise any scheme of legislation until full information was to hand. With the earth hunger of the colony, if these five or six million acres were settled, the position of the whole colony would bo changed. Would any one say it was not right and proper for people to acquire this land from the natives on fair and reasonable terms? It was unjust and wrong that the colony, after borrowing money for railways, etc., and putting railways through these waste lands and raising their value from pence and shillings to ipounds, should have to buy them later on and pay this, added cost for them. (Left Bitting.)