LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7384, 9 August 1889, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

j- Thursday, August 8. I The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. I SELECTORS* --AND REVALUATION. Mr Stevens, in moving the second reading of the Selectors' Land Revaluation Bill, assured members that it was not a revival of the Fair Rent Bill of last sessdon. He reminded the Council that there had been many complaints from certain settlers who had agreed to take up land under the deferred payment and perpetual lease system. The Bill last year met with a hostile vote, and the evil which the Government had tried then to get over still remained. A revaluation had been carefully made during the recess of deferred payment and perpetual leaseholders. It would be seen by the measure that it was not intended to grant relief to all, because there was a great difference in the price paid for the land, as shown by the official valuation. The number proposed to be relievedwas 890—740 deferred payment settlers, and 150 perpetual leaseholders. The subject was one of great magnitude and aftected large localities, principally Auck-j land, Taranaki, Southland, and OtagoJ where many settlers labored under greajj Eressure, being unable' to occupy thei* oldings with any degree of comfort, andn in some instances could not occupy at all.] Under this Bill these persons would get! fair relief as asked for, hut only thos* two classes already named.&nd it was now intended to ba perpetual relief. He aske« the Council not to turn aifieaf. ear to thM Bill, and warned member? that if the priiM ciple of the Bill were rejected a largß number of industrious people would o5 unable to make a living, _«nd would bj large sufterers. , * On the motion of Mr Shrimski thl debate was adjourned till to-morrow. 11 SECOND READINGS, S The Oromakaratea Title EmpoweritlL Bill was read a second time aud re-erreH§ to the Native Affairs Committee, as w_M the Auckland Native Hostelry Bill. REPRESENTATION BILL. ' *M The Representation Act AmendmeaK Bill was received from thje other ChambeSS read a first time, and ordered to be reacTS! secoud time on Tuesday. m The Council rose at 3.25 till to-morrow,*t