AUSTRALIAN LAND

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32860, 8 March 1972, Page 19

AUSTRALIAN LAND

British M.P.’s concern (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) CANBERRA, March 7. A Labour member of the House of Commons has, asked for an investigation of the ownership by British citizens of land in Australia and its future security, an Australian M.P., said yesterday. Mr Al Grassby, an Opposition Australian Labour Party member for the Riverina seat in New South Wales, said in a press statement that the matter was raised by Mr Leslie Huckfield, the member of Nuneaton, who visited Australia twice last year. Mr Huckfield made his request to the British Foreign Secretary (Sir Alec DouglasHome) in a letter after two questions in the House on the extent of British land ownership and the likelihood of a change in its status after British entry into the Common Market.

Mr Grassby said that Mr Huckfield told Sir Alec Douglas-Home that he was concerned at the possible disruption of the traditional close relations between Australia and Britain after a bushfire of Australian nationalism bom out of the alleged betrayal of Australian interests by the British I Government.