Manawatu EVENING STANDARD POHANGINA GAZETTE. Circulation, 3,000 Copies Daily. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31st, 1904. THE LAND QUESTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7901, 31 August 1904, Page 4

Manawatu EVENING STANDARD POHANGINA GAZETTE. Circulation, 3,000 Copies Daily. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31st, 1904. THE LAND QUESTION.

The fight on the land question readied a very important stage in the House last evening, when tlie Premier moved the following motion:—-" That with a view to further encouraging', and promoting land settlement, and removing any anomalies and disabilities, if found to exist, it is advisable that inquiry should be made in respect to'the constitution of Land Boards; the tenures upon which lands may be.obtained and occupied; and whether Crown tenants labour undcr r reskietions which are mimical to their well-being and unnecessary in the interest's of the State; also to inquire and advise whether the .residential conditions now, existing are top exacting and require relaxing: and as to whether, owing to the varying conditions existing in respect to the climate and land configuration in the several parts of the colony, an alteration and • variation in the law regarding tenure and occupation" is : necessary ; .-. also, as to the rointroduction of tho homestead privileges ; and as to the working of the present ballot system and the dealing. with applications for land; and as to what lands have been loaded for roads giving access'thereto,and whether good faith has been kept, and also tho amount borrowed, the amount spent, and the amount available; also, generally, as to whether lessees of the Crown are placed at a disadvantage in borrowing privately or from the Advances to Settlers Office; and, lastly, as to the condition and position of those of our colonists holdingand occupying the lands of the State under the several tenures now obtaining. The result of such inquiry to be laid on the table of the House not later than fourteen days after the opening of the next session of Parliament.

■ Mr Massey (leader of the Opposition) then submittedthefollowing amendment; —1. That this House, as representing the people^—(a) recognises tlie urgent necessity for reform in the land laws of the Colony ; (b) assorts its Competency to devise remedial measures without the delay which would be occasioned by the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry ; and (c) is, therefore, of opinion that it should be afforded an opportunity during the present session of passing the necessary legislation.

2. That with a view to further encouraging and promoting settlement,

giving more confidence totkose: occupying the lands,, and. removing causes of, irritation, it is 'desn-'able— (a)'- that tenants occupying Grown lands under lease-in-perpetmty,. who have complied with; -reasonable conditions, shall be allowed the option of converting their leaseholds into freeholds, with limitation of area, and that all moneys so- received shall'be. used for the purchase of further land under tho Land for - Settlements Act. (b)That'the conditions of occupation and residence shall be>.cconimodated to the exigencies of pioneer settlement and that the regulations governing the cultivation and management of land held under lease from the Crown shall bo modified to suit climatic, conditions and the characteristics of the soil, (c) : That the principle of the homestead provisions of the Land Act, 1885, shall bo embodied in tlie Land Act. ,(d). That Parliament shall be given an'-early opportunity of deciding whether the constitution Of. Land Boards should be'altered in the direction, of-securing the more effective representation of the views' of Crown tenants. ■

Mr Massey's amendment having/been accepted by Mr Seddon. as a want of I confidence motion a most interesting debate'may be expected. Unfortunately'1 there is not much hope of the amendment being carried as the Premier's cleverness hi asking for an ■ enquiry on the land question will provide a loophole for the escape of those followers of the Government who were pledged to support the freehold, and they will, of course,; seize the opportunity of voting with the Government". As it has been announced by the Premier that no further business is to be taken while this question is under consideration, the proceedings in Parliament during the next few days will be of particular interest to the country.