THE H.B. TRIBUNE. FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1911. A UNIQUE PROPOSAL.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 201, 11 August 1911, Page 4

THE H.B. TRIBUNE. FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1911. A UNIQUE PROPOSAL.

The contribution of the Hon. J. McGowan to the Address-in-Reply debate in the Legislative Council, if not a very brilliant oratorical effort, at least had the merit of originality. Many and various are the theories advanced with regard to methods of land settlement, but it remains for the ex-Minister to propound one of the most novel proposals on this subject that has ever engaged the. attention of Parliament. Mr. McGowan is reported as having advanced the opinion that in order to give an incentive to the settlement of land every farmer employing a. man should be compelled to give that man a portion of his land. This lie contends would result in the land being utilised to the fullest extent. Yle should say it is lucky for Mr McGowan that he is safe in the possession of his seat in the Council, and has not got to face the electors at the forthcoming general election. It would be decidedly interesting to witness the sensations of a meeting of small farmers when he outlined his land policy. How pleased they would be to think an opport unity would lie given them to share their homesteads with the “handy maw” or the ”cowspanker.” How grateful 4hey would feel for the privilege of paying union wages and throwing in an acre, or two of land per month by w’ay of bonus. It is just the sort of policy that would appeal strongly to the New Zealand farmer, and if Mr. McGowan wants to get land fro the landless he should get to work and “shake up” his theories in the country.