THE LAND BILL.

Evening Star, Issue 12926, 24 September 1906, Page 5

THE LAND BILL.

TO BE DEBATED NEXT WEEK.

AND PUSHED ON THIS SESSION.

[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, September 24.

The Hon. Mr M'Nab has hopes that the Land Bill will be reported from the Lands Committee to tho House on Friday, and the debate begun on the following Tuesday. The Minister says he does not expect that vital changes will be made by the Lands Committee, and that the Government have an intention to put it on the Statute Book,

It is rumored that a party of twenty-five Freeholders are organised to obstruct the Bill in Committee of the Whole. A Government defeat on the second reading would mean a discolu'tion and an appeal to the country, which is not desired by the party of obstructionists. Commenting on factious and unprincipled opposition to the Bill, which has the weight of popular favor, the 'New Zealand Times' rays:—"We cannot pretend that tactics leading 1o a dissolution are entirely undesirable, but tactics which will paralyse the business of Parliament .stand self-con-demned." OPPOSED BY FARMERS. MARTON, September 24. A meeting of farmers wag held in Morton on Saturday to take action in connection with the Land Bill. Mr J. 6.. Wilson, colonial president of the Farmers' Union, spoke at length, disapproving of the new measure. Resolutions were passed strongly protesting against the Bill containing such new principles, especially in the way of limitations, and attempting to pass it without the country first having an opportunity of considering it. THE £50,000 LIMIT. ASHBURTON, September 24. Mr J. C. Grigg, owner of the Longbeach Estate, near Ashburton, is anticipating the passing of the Eand Bill by subdividing his property. On Saturday the first block of the estate was sold, comprising 1,200 acres; and instructions have been given for the sale of other 'blocks, so that a large portion of this famous estate, which has a world-wide reputation as a model farm, is likely to be subdivided into comparatively email holdings. The estate contains 10,000 acres of first class land, the improved value of which is £112,211.