PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 105, 30 October 1913, Page 10

PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAND BILL. YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. After The Post went to press yesterday the Legislative Council resumed consideration of the Land Amendment Bill in Committee. The Minister explained that the numerous amendments made by the Land Bills Committee introduced no new principles, no new matter to the measure. PROVISION FOR REVALUATION. It was the opinion of Hon. Mr. Paui' that Under clause 13, which makes provision for the revaluation of Crown Lands, with a reduction of rent in certain circumstances, the State might suffer. He and other speakers suggested that provision should also be made for replacement of the original rent, where land increased in value. Mr. Paul urged that, if no remedy could be devised, the clause should be struck out. The Minister explained that to do that would mean a tenure from year to year. '■After some discussion Mr. Paul moved to add the words : " Providing that such reduction of rent shall not operate for more than five years." The mover explained that, while his sympathies were with the tenant, he did not think the State should lose probable increment. The Minister expressed the. hope that the Council would not, for the purpose of conserving the interests of the State, baulk an attempt to avoid rack-renting. Hon. Captain Tucker thought there was every need for sach revaluation and consequent reduction. The Council divided on the amendment, with the result that it was defeated by 20 to 6. Mr. Anstey moved to add to the clause a proviso ensuring that, if the fee-simple were acquired, the price of the land should be determined by reference to the original valuation. The amendment was defeated by 19 to 6, and the clause was passed. RESIDENCE. On the motion of the Minister it was decided to add to clause 22, section 1 (providing that residence conditions on rural land may be dispensed /with in certain cases), a proviso exempting from residence conditions married applicants whose total income amounted to £350 (raised from £300). MAKING BACK LIFE HARDER. A telegram was read by the Hon. Mr. Anstey from the clerk of a Taranaki County Council, who had a long experience of backblock life, stating that the exemption from residence would make it harder for the settlers in an-y district to obtain- ordinary facilities. Mr. ' Anstey thought that this exemption -would do tremendous injury to the country. The Hon. Mr. Bell said the clause had been asked for for years. Mr.. Anstey: "Not by the settlers. Mr. Bell defended the clause, saying that it would admit of a townsman preparing a section on which his son could settle. This provision was the law at the present time, and the only alteration proposed in the Bill was to transfer the administration from the Governor-in-Council to the Land Boards. If the clause was struck out, the provision would still remain without the limitation of £350 of income. The Hon. J. T. Paul questioned the accuracy of this assertion, pointing 1 out that before this concession could be granted by the Governor-in-Council, regulations had to be sanctioned by both Houses. As this had not been done, it was not the law of the land, as stated by the Minister, i Tne Minister admitted the accuracy of this contention. ' / The Hon. G. Jones objected to the clause, because it would promote "dummyisin." At 9.5 p.m. Mr. Anstey called for a division on the question whether the clause should be struck out, the result being its retention by 19 votes to 7. The Hon. Mr. Anstey moved that clause 26. dealing with the exemption of residence on small grazing runs should be struck out, on grounds similar to those on which he objected to clause 22. The clause was retained by 16 votes to 9. A somewhat lengthy discussion ensued on clause 28, granting the fee-sim-ple to licensees of land in the Hauraki mining district. The clause was retained on the voices. At clause 30 Mr. Anstey moved an ■imendment to the effect that the rightto acquire the fee-simple should not be ■extended to small grazing-runs. After a brief discussion, the original clause was retained by 9 votes to 7. Progress was reported at midnight, and the Council adjourned.