PARLIAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 163, 23 July 1901, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

CBy Telesraph-ParUamontary Reportir.l

WELLINGTON, this day. TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

The House met at 10.30 to-day

MR G. J. SMITH.

The Speaker read the returningofficer's certificate of the election of Mr G. J. Smith for Christchurch. The new member was introduced by Major Steward and Mr McNab, and took the oath and a seat on the back cross benches. There was no demonstration. KING COUNTRY LICENSES. Mr Fowlds" presented a petition from the Christian Endeavour Society against licenses in the ivmg Country. SHIPPING AND SEAMEN'S BILL. The Hon. Hall Jones introduced the Shipping - and Seamen's Bill, which was read a first time. LAND FOR SETTLEMENT AMENDMENT BILL.

Air Seddon resumed the debate on the second reading of this Bill.

LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS BILL,

The discussion on the Land for Settlements Bill was rather tame. The interest had been threshed out of the measure in the previous debate. Mr. Herries made a futile effort to revive interest in the question. He referred to the dealings with the Fencourt and other estates controlled by the Assets Board, which he alleged placed obstacles in the way of bonafide settlement. He knew of 300,000 acres in the Waikato which ought to be cut up and sold. Large areas in the district were only carrying two sheep to the acre, and Maori lads were almost wholly employed. He declared that the settlement of native lands were retarded owing to the delay by the Government in bringing the Native Lands Act into operation. Large areas in his district, which were suitable for small farms, were lying idle. Settlers had no chance of obtaining land owing to the obstacles placed in the way by speculators. He condemned the Bill under discussion as containing no provision for enabling settlers to secure a freehold. Mr. Napier dwelt on the necessity for suppressing dummyism. He knew many cases of fictitious names beinb put in the ballot-boxes. He did not believe that people in the country would consent to revert to the freehold system. Letters received by him from the Waikato showed that hundreds of young men were anxious to obtain land. If the blocks in the hands of the Assets Board were put up for sale on perpetvjal lease, or on lease in perpetuity, the land would be rushed by settlers possessing means to .stock it. The freehold system had been the curse of New Zealand. (Opposition member: "Oh!") Usurers ' and money-lenders now preyed on the 'small farmers. (Mr. Pirani: "And lawyers.") He knew of cases of exorbitant charges by lawyers. He hoped to see the Government more energetic in opening lands for settlement. He approved of Land Boards being elective bodies, which would bring them more in touch with the people. The State might legitimately impose a land tax on the unearned increment in connection with perpetual leases.

, The debate was concluded at a few minutes before one, and Mr. Seddon, who is suffering from a sore throat, began his reply. He expressed stirprise that on a Bill of a purely technical character the general policy of the Government regarding lands for settlement should be traversed in the course, of debate. The Premier's remarks were interrupted by the luncheon adjournment.