LEASEHOLD CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 763, 11 March 1910, Page 9

LEASEHOLD CONFERENCE.

. ' -d — COMMITTEE' APPOINTED TO INTER- ■ /VIEW THE PRIME MINISTER. . (By .TeletrraDn.—Press Association.! Christchurch, March 10., The following is the official report of the Leasehold Conference:— A conference 'of leasehold members of Parliament, held in the Trades' Hall today, was called by tho Hon. J. T. Paul, M.L.C., and Mr. J. ]?. Arnold, M.P. The following were present: The Hons. Anstey, Bnrr, and, Paul, M.L.C.'s; Sir W. J. Steward, Messrs. T. E. Taylor, Ell, Laurenson, Davey, Witty, Hogg, Russell, Hogan, Arnold, Hanan, and Forbes, M.P.'s. Apologies were received from the Hons. Rigg, Jones, Luke, and M'Gawan, M.L.C.'s, and Messrs. Guinness (Speaker of tho House), Spddon, M'Laren, Poole, Craigio, Luke, Colvin, Sidey, Lawry, and E. A. Wright, M.P.'s. Sir W. J. Steward was elected chairman. After full discussion of the land question, in nil its. aspects, tho following resolution was arrived at:— That, this conference desires to put on record its belief that the land question being the most important that cart come before' Parliament for solution, should be dealt with in accordance with the principles that have inspired the Liberal party for the last twenty years. (a) That it, therefore, protest' against any proposal for selling any part of the national endowment lands. (b) That it also protests against the granting of the fee simple of ordinary Crown lands now under lease, or. any lands purchased by the Government for land settlement purposes. (c) That it affirms the necessity for extending the endowment principle to the remaining Crown lands. (d) That the right of transfer of State leases bo restricted by law, with a view to stopping gambling and speculation in goodwill, etc. (e) That it affirms the principle that there shall be no interference with the existing leasehold or freehold titles, except where required for settlement ur other public purposes. (f) That this conference of members of Parliament pledges-itself to make every effort to prevent legislation in opposition to these resolutions reaching tho Statute Book. • - A committee consisting of Messrs. Arnold, Hogan, Laurenson, Paul, Russell, and Witty was appointed to interview tho Prime Minister and place before him the wishes of • the conference. Satisfaction was expressed at the attendance of members, especially those who travelled long distances to be present A most hopeful spirit pervaded tho conference, and it was made aware' of spontaneous offers of financial assistance if required, the majority of such offers coming from sympathisers outside Parliament. . The conference closed with votes of thanks to Messrs. Arnold and Paul for convening the conference, and to Sir W. J. Steward for presiding.