SMALL FARMS BILL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 38, 25 November 1940, Page 8

SMALL FARMS BILL

• OPPOSITION IN THE NORTH. EFFECT FEARED. (Per Press Association). HASTINGS, November 24. A reply to the statement by the Slinister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, in which he declared the intention of the Government to proceed with the Small Farms Amendment Bill, was made by the Dominion Secretary of the Farmers’ Union, Mr A. P. O’Shea, when, addressing- a mass meeting of farmers yesterday. “Mr. Langstone said the Bill now before Parliament differed in one regard from the Small Farms Act, 1933,” said Mr O'Shea. “This is not only inboh?ec|.. ;.bAit .. misleading. That Act was passed purely for the purpose of providing small farms for unemployed imeii- ahd;was not designed nor intended he- nsed; for the general settlement •-Of'- land.- ;: Mr Dangstone had not said anything about the numerous safeguard- • ‘clauses in the Public Works Act which had been cut out by his Bill, Jlor- has he said' anything about the right of appeal to the Supreme Court being cut out, nor about the fact that the tribunal he proposes to appoint Vwiil be" a-tribunal entirely under the Government’s control. These points are amongst the major objections the Farmers’ Union lias to the Bill, and they s£c& : principles which one of the most 'eminent lawyers in New Zealand has submitted ‘must he freely criticised and strenuously opposed.’” ,; The meeting unanimously passed che following resolution: ‘ 'That this meeting views, with alarm the powers"which / the Government is ' seeking under Ibe Small Farms Amendment Bill. These powers - are in excess of the powers which."should be asked for by any democratic Government, especially the invasion of constitutional rights .which is contemplated by the Bill. In' the interests of that national duty which -is-so necessary during the present crisis, we urge the Government to withdraw the Bill, which, should it become law, can lead only to clas4 animosity. Further we pledge the farmers of Hawke’s Bay-to work unremittingly toward drawing up a scheme of land settlement for returned soldiers which will he fair to everyone:” 1 • PROTEST AT GISBORNE. #, . : r GISBORNE, November 24. 'V.fA spirited protest against the Small Farms Amendment Bill was made at •a .representative meeting. of . farmers Egt.cVfening. The following resolution waV passed : ‘ "• “Whilethis meeting is entirely in agfeiemeut with the principle of closer settlement on sound lines, more especially for the rehabilitation of returned soldiers, it is of the opinion: (1) “That the suggested Bill is altogether tco drastic and strikes at certain, fundamental rights of the ; individual. (2.) ‘‘The Lands for Settlement Act with •.'certain modifications to meet modern conditions, is adequate. (3) “Safeguards in the Act are esson- * tial to the maintenance of justice and the!.best interest!? of the farming eom- ■ munity aud fhc 'Dominion as a whole. (4) “The passage of the Bill at the present time must seriously disturb the security of farmers in their business . and thereby detrimentally react against -the Dominion’s war effort.”