SMALL FARM BILL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 37, 23 November 1940, Page 6

SMALL FARM BILL.

“LOADED AGAINST FARMER.” MR HAMILTON’S OPINION. WELLINGTON, This Day. The Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) stated to-day that (it was no use the Hon. F. Langstone trying to gloss over the proposals placed before Parliament in the ISmall Farms Amendment Bill. The proposal was loaded against the farmer. It was intended, in taking land, to take away the farmer’s right to substantiate his claim to it.' Then, when the Bill went to fix the price,, which was described as compensation, it took away the rights the farmer bad to determine that price. If the. Minister’s purpose was soldiers’ settlement, it was a strange approach to it. There was nothing about settlement in the Bill. It was just power to take land.

Mr Hamilton added that important significance was given by the fact that, the measure was introduced as a Small Farms Amendment Bill. It was by amendment to the Small F'arms Bill, passed after a long fight in the House last year, that the Labour Government took away the right of freehold and the right of the settler to acquire title to land if he wanted it. Mr Hamilton’s opinion that right was a basic democratic principle, and to continue the force of such issue in a Bill concerned with the rehabilitation of soldiers defending our democracy was difficult to stomach.' Its foolishness at a time when unity of heart and effort was essential was most apparent. Everyone would be glad to give a hand to settle, returned soldiers who wished to go on the land. With a proper approach to the farming community, the Minister would get all the land lie wanted at reasonable prices. Mr Hamilton expressed the hope that the whole thing would be reconsidered, with all contributing to form a sound and just plan.