The Evening Star TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1940. PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 23743, 26 November 1940, Page 6

The Evening Star TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1940. PARLIAMENT.

To-day Parliament met, after an adjournment of about six weeks, for the purpose of discussing matters before the close of the session, the date of which is expected to be about a fortnight from now. Under the present conditions the proceedings should be governed by a quiet unanimity having relation to the grave issues facing the Empire. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The ‘undercurrent of party politics is still strong, as is evidenced by the fact that the Government in the remaining few days of the session is introducing measures of a highly contentious nature which it could hardly regard as measures of urgency. There is division in the Labour Party because of Mr J. A. Lee’s activities. The National Party has solved its issue of the leadership by the appointment of Mr S. G. Holland, whoso qualities had made him prominent for a long time past. Mr Hamilton, to whose services a well-deserved meed of appreciation was given, will continue with Mr Coates in the War Cabinet. So far as’the remaining part of the session is concerned, a measure that is likely to be acrimoniously debated is the Small Farms Amendment Bill. The farming community is seriously alarmed by its provisions.

Voting in haste and resentment at the prevailing economic conditions, many of the farming constituencies at the 1935 elections showed their displeasure at the acts of the Government of the day by, returning Labour members. Now they are repenting at leisure. This Small Farms Amendment Bill is the , latest measure to arouse their resentment. That the feeling is strong is shown by the resolutions of protest that are being passed in the Dominion. It is laid down in the Bill that in order to provide for the settlement of discharged soldiers under the principal Act the Minister may take any land under the provisions of the amending Act. In the discussions that have been recorded it will be noted that there is approval of the principle of closer settlement on sound lines, particularly for the rehabilitation of returned soldiers, but well-reasoned objections that are being raised to the Government’s proposals are on the grounds that the Bill is too drastic and that as the law stands at present there is ample provision for compulsorily acquiring land for settlement when compulsion is necessary. In a letter to the Prime Minister the secretary of the New Zealand'Farmers’ Union points out that if the ißill became law the Government would be enabled to take the whole of any farm without limitation as to size or suitability, and solemn contracts entered into by the Crown with its lessees could be broken at a moment’s notice.

Dissatisfaction is also expressed with the substitution in the compensation provisions of a magistrate for a judge of the Supreme Court to preside over the body that will decide questions of compensation. Without any reflection on the magistracy, it cannot be doubted that a member of the Supreme Court as president would inspire a strong feeling of confidence in the knowledge that one possessed of the highest legal qualifications would decide points at issue. It will be a matter for regret if the Government puts this amending measure through in the present session. Ministers at present are in no difficulty in the matter of acquiring laud for the rehabilitation of soldiers. When suitable land cannot be obtained voluntarily at reasonable prices will be time enough for' acquiring it compulsorily.