LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS

Lake County Press, Issue 977, 29 August 1901, Page 2

LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS

THE COMPULSORY CLAUSES OBJECTED TO. “HAWKE’S BAY ESTATES MUST BE ACQUIRED.” [From the Evening Stab’s Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, August 21. In the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon. The Hon. J. D. Ormond moved—“ That a return be laid on the table showing all land purchased under the Land for Settlements Act, 1894, and handed over to the Lands Department, the return to give the acreage and expenses in acquiring the same; also showing how such lands have been disposed of and how classified, whether used for agricultural purposes, for homes for workmen, or set apart as smallgrazing runs; the return further to show the rentals and the advances made to settlers on each block.” Mr Ormond said his object in moving for this return was because he believed the Land for Settlements Act was being administered in a way never intended by the Legislature. It was his duty to put facts before Parliament and the public, so that whatever was done in the settlement of the land and the acquisition of estates it could not be said that the whole position was not clearly understood beforehand. In some cases, he said, the compulsory clauses of the Act were harsh and arbitrary. In Hawke’s Bay there was a strong feeling that it was a cruel and wanton Act, because it took property away from some people who had lived on it all their lives, and could not afford to give it up. In other cases risk}’ prices were paid lor land, which was often unsuitable for the purpose for which it had been acquired. If he got the return asked for, the people could see and judge for themselves of the administration of the Act. The Minister of Education said the time had come when large estates, such as existed in Hawke’s Bay and other districts, must be acquired and broken up for progressive settlement. He did not think Mr Ormond was at all justified in what he had said about the Act and its administration. The Government had hud to contend with enormous difficulties in their desire to help Hawke’s Bay, because of the very excessive land values which had been set up by the owners. With regard to the return asked for, the Minister said that the returns for the year would be presented in about a week’s time, and he thought they would give full and ample information.

The Hon. G. M’Lean supported the resolution, and urged that the return asked for should be supplied. He agreed with Mr Ormond’s contention that no land should be taken under the Act except such as was suitable for close settlement purposes. It was never intended that the Act should be used to provide sheep runs. It now being four o’clock, the motion was interrupted, so that the Orders of the Day could be proceeded with.