LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8599, 28 September 1893, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(press association telegkvm.) Wednesday, September 27. AFTERNOON SITTING. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m MISCELLASKOrS. Tho COLONIAL SECRETARY, replying to Mr Feldwick, said that the Government intended to prepare eloctorul mupa for each island, showing the various electorates. The COLONIAL SECRETARY did nob move his motion for call of Council for Tuesday. Leave of absence on account of ill health was granted to Dr. Pollen. . The amendments of tho Governor in the Land and Income Assessment Act Atneadmeut Bill, presented to both Chambers, was agreed to. LAND FOR SETTLEMENT BILL. The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved tho second reading of the Lund for Settle* ment Act Amendment Bill, , unci explained its provisions.

Mr OLIVER opposed the Bill, as he did not think tlio present Act, passed lust year, had been afforded a fair trial. Unfortunately, land could have boon purchased almost in any portion of the colony at very much less than its value. The Bill, if passed, would create a feeling of great inaecurity on the part of men who had acquired property which might, if the Bill uecaino law, bo taken from them by the Government at any moment. As an amend* metit lie moved tuac the Bill be read that day six months.

Mr SHRIMSKI remarked that bo sooa as any Government brought iv a Bill to settle people upoa the country, co soon did certain lion, meinhera oppose it. Population was increasing every day, and yet immediately a scheme was proposed to settle these people objections were raieed. Taxation was increasing every day and people were desiring homes, and yet immediately the Government attempted to take land fit for settlement from owners at a fair price they were hampered and accused of robbery. He should support the second reading. Sic G. WHI L'MORE supported the amendment. Ho objeoted to the Government ment picking the eyes out of property and leaving the poor balance on the bands of the original purchaser. Mr STEWART failed to see why, when a man has spent the whole of his life acquiring a property which would eupport himself during hie lifetime, and which he might leave to hia children, he should be liable to have it wrested from him by any Government. There were, in addition, other coneiderations, such as mortgages, which would operate prejudicially to .property-holders. Mr RIGG regarded the Bill as one of the beet ever introduced into the Legislature, because, it sought to restore to the people their birthright. He should support the Bill. FF

Mr PHARAZYN supported tho amend* ment. He characterised the Bill as having a most mischievous tendency. He would be exceedingly glad, to allow Mr Rigg or any of his friends to have his property at a fair valuation.

Mr BO WEN, as one who could not be accused ot being a large landowner, had no hesitation in expressing the opinion that the Bill was an inequitable ono. The Minister of Lands under the Bill might tako anybody's land at his own sweet will without giving any reason why. To his own knowledge a great deal of tho land iv Canterbury, Otago and Southland could be purchased at present much below the Government valuation. It appeared to him that notwithstanding men in years past had by their thrift and labour acquired land, later arrivals appeared on the Kcene and said " your land belonged to the people and thoroforo we intend to resume it." Tho Now Zealand and Australian Land Company owned 226,000 acres of good avablo laud, which they desired to get rid of. Why did not tho Government negotiate for the purchase of that property? It seemed to him that to pluoo such power as was provided under the Bill in the hands of any Government was a most dangerous procedure, and would allow tho tyrant for iho lime being to place his foot on the neck of progress and induatry. Mr STEVENS said the Bill itself carried with it its own condemnation. To compel a pan to part with his land was gross injustice, and anything unjust was condemnatory. The lion, gentleman reviewed the provisions of the Bill, and intimated his intention of votiug for die amendment. He warned the Government that if the Bill passed they would regret it to the end of their individual lives.

Mr WALKER supported the amend* ment, ■

Mr McGREGOR supported the second reading, his contention being that the rights of the few should give way to the requirements of tho many. Mr KERR warmly supported the second reading of th<i Bill, which was a liberal measure. He failed to see why it was that the Council persisted in throwing out the liberal Bills ofjiihe Government. Dr. GRACB supported the amen iment as he feared that the Bill if passed would . j prevent settlers from borrowing on their properties. He admitted that a Bill of this character was demanded in some portions of the colony. Mr JENNINGS, speaking as a New Zealander, expressed the opinion that land in large areas had been taken away from the people of the colony. Whilst respecting vested interests he would vote for the Bill an being a fair and equitable one. The motion for the second reading was lost by 17 to 14 and the amendment was agreed to, the Bill boine thus killod. The following is the division list :— AYBS (14J. Messrs Bolt Messrs Kerr Buckley McGregor Dignau McCullough Feidwick Montgomery Jenkinson Rigg Jeoninga Shrimaki Kelly Swanson Noes (17). Messrs Acland Meeara Orraond Barnicoat Pharazyn Bowen Reynolds Dr. Grace Stevens Messrs Hart Stewart Holmes L. Walker Johnston Williams Mantell Sir G. Whitmore Oliver The Council adjourned at 5 o'olook.