Land Bill.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 6242, 2 September 1891, Page 2

Land Bill.

j_*Bo_t OUB partjahentaby bepoeteb.]

[by teleobaph.]

Wellington, Last night. After occupying the greater part of the past week, the Land Bill has at last passed its filial stage in the Lower House, and today it will be forwarded to " another place," where it is likely to meet with a perilous passage. On the motion for the third reading of the Bill Sir John flail said that as the Premier was a strong believer in land nationalisation, and the Minister for Lands had openly stated that Crown grants would bo unknown within half a century, tho Government would doubtless endeavor to

wholly take away from settlers the right of acquiring the freehold of the land. He was oonvinced, however, that there was no more chance of the Minister for Lands doing away with the desire that existed amongst the peop]R for possessing a freehold than there

was of that estimable lady Mrs Partington being successful in her effort to sweep back the Atlantic ocean with a broom.

Mr Buckland was certain that the people would eventually acquire the ire hold, no matter what laws were passed at tho present time. He characterised the Bill as most illiberal iv every respect. Mr J. W. Thomson supported the freehold system as the best form of tonure, and expressed the opinion that the tendency of the Minister of Lands was in that direction, and he hoped they would shortly see that hon. gentleman in a more reasonable frame of mind. He wished the Bill every success.

Mr Valentino wished to enter his final protest against the Bill, which, he thought, would be inimical to the best interest of the colony. He held that there was absolutely no tenure whatever assured tj the people, for cue clause in the Bill gave the Minister the whole power in this respect.

Mr George Hutchison said that the Bill was a most unfortunate ono, cot only'as regarded altering th,o tenure of the land, but also in respect to the intemperato statements made by tbe Minister for Lands.

Dr. Newman had no particular fault to find with the Minister for Lands in regard to his measure, but he wished to draw the Minister's attention to the wants of the Wellington district in connection with the Bill. He impressed upou the Minister the necessity for advancing the settlement of tho country along the line of route of the North. Island trunk railway, and taking some steps in the direction of conserving the forests of the North island.

. Mr Duncan did not hold with the Government as to the perpetual lease system, but he believed that large areas of laud taken up uuder that form of tenurp would eventually become freehold,. lie approved of the Bill an tending to put au end to the monopoly which existed on the part of companies who owned large tracts .of pastoral land.

I Messrs Mackintosh and Taylor spoke i strongly in support of the measure. The Minister for Lauds, iv replying, said that every argument adduce 1 that ui«ht bad been answered by him time after tim_. Ho denied that the (Jill took txwuy the freehold system of tenure, aud held chat it contained three forms of tenure; :iml, further it seemed to be forgotten that 'inynnowho wanted to take up land could do"\o under tho perpetual lease system, which could eventually be turned into freehold. Thenwas no doubt public opinion was tending in tho direction of tho principles contained in the Bill, and although the present Government might become unpopular, the next Government would have to retain the liberal clauses as set forth in this Bill. H e thanked Mr Rolleston, Sir John Hall, and Mr Richardson for the able assistance given by them in pausing ihe Bill. The Bill waa then read q third timo and , passed. I