LABOUR IN POLITICS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 26, 31 January 1907, Page 7

LABOUR IN POLITICS.

THE LAND QUESTION. [PBZS'i ASSOCIATION.] SYDNEY, 30th January. The Labour Conference is discussing the question of land policy, on suggestions drafted by a committee. The principal points in the suggestions are as follows : — Immediate cessation of the sale of Crown lands ; in the allotment of Crown lands no person to bo entitled to acquire more than, a living area; every Australian citizen not already holding land to the value of £500 to have a preferential right to acquire land to that value, preference to be given first to persons holding no lands, second to small holders requiring additional holdings ; holders to be entitled to a remission of the first five yeirs' rent, on condition that they effect improvements to that amount ; reappraisement of lease once every twenty years ; graduated land tax on estates over the value of £5000, on an unimproved basis, increasing a halfpenny in the £1 for each £5000 over that exemption) compulsory resumption of private land for closer settlement, owners to be paid 10 per cent, above the land tax valuation, with value of improvements at time of resumption ; advances for improvement of holdings up to two-thirds the value of improvements j provision for working men's blocks in centres of population ; provision to prevent speculators monopolising allotments.