NATIONAL ENDOWMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2222, 28 October 1907, Page 1

NATIONAL ENDOWMENTS.

APOLOGETIC MEMBERS. FATE OF THE BILL. Spocial to Times. WELLINGTON, Oct. 25, Tho Government is having same considerably difficulty with one of tho main planks in its land policy, viz., tho national endowment. The in/ips in tho lobby showing whero tho endowments are have been an eyeopener to many members, but more especially to Otago members, who fina chat somo of the best of their remaining Crown lands aro to bo locked up in reserves for all time. They aro hoping, to arrango with tho Premier to get tho area considerably reduced, but" 1 tho North Island members, who are equally displeased with the application of the principle to their lands, aro determined that if there is to bo any reduction it shall be a pro rata one. Mr. Duncan’s discovery that tho Oamaru Harbor Board endowments arc included in the area colored on the mails, lias resulted ill a patch being put ovor that particular spot to-day to show that it was not meant to take it. The debate on tho second reading of tho Bill was not concluded till after daylight yesterday morning, with tho result that during the day mombers- wore very tired and sleepy. Towards its close tho debate at times was very lively. Its most amusing and amazing feature was tho condemnation of tho Bill by a considerable number of Government ' supporteisj followed by a declaration that they would vote for it. Tho division list therefore is no real indication of the feeling that exists against the Bill. X'ho independence witn which certain freeholders oil the Government side began the session vanished into thin air some time ago. Tho reason tor this was explained by Mr. Lewis, who said a feeling was shared by a good many members that there was not much use talking about any Proposal in the House this session. " ° have known all along, he added, “that there has been a shadow over this House —a sort of siiectre stalking about this building, blameless in lts- . self but exercising an influence over members.” ' The Mmistei ioi Lands and the Premier had been congratulated, and should havo all the credit they were entitled to, but as regards the success that had attended the efforts of the Minister this session, or at all events the enhanced majorities tor those proposals, which had been secured over and above what might have been expected, it was not to the Premier or to the Minister for Lands that the credit was due, but to a gentleman who commanded the hearty sympathy of members It was duo simply to the Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones. Me know that,” ■ continued the member loi Courtenav, “for it is apparent on all hands. All these excuses we hear made for a change of front on the part of lion, members and the expressions that are let fall from time to time, and the rabid anxiety that appears to exist on the part or some parade their allegiance to the Government and to lose no opportunity of exhibiting their loyalty and their sympathy, these have been attributed and rightly so, to the unfortunate circumstances that the lion, gentleman to whom I liavo alluded is laid aside, and there is no certainty as to whether lie may ever resume his place on the Ministerial benches. There is also the possibility that it a vacancy does occur it may bo filled in tho manner that' will leave another vacancy behind.” (The Premier: Very thin.) Mr Lewis: “AV© have thought it a bit too thick, but T suppose* I must congratulate the Premier upon the results which this circumstance has produced in his case. It has secured a good many votes he would not otherwise have got, and so it will bo the case in regard, to this Bill. I may state that I have taken a very languid interest in the land' question this session, partly because I agree with those who think that after all long before this session approaches finality changes of one sort or another will havo been made, also because I have felt that there is an element in tho atmosphere which conveys the impression—l may say almost the certainty—that tlie measures, are not discussed entirely upon their merits, but with an eye to wliafmay happen in the future.”