The Land Bill.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXV, Issue 213, 8 September 1891, Page 2

The Land Bill.

As was anticipated, the Land Bill met with a very oritioal reception at the hands of the Legislative Council, and ifc is certain to be very seriously emasoulated before it eventually emerges from that Chamber. With the exception of the Colonial Secretary, who is in charge of the bill, and the Hon Mr Shrimski not a single voice was raised in favuor of either the one man one run. principle or for the proposal to abolish the right of acquiring freeholds in the oase of perpetual leases. The tendency to land nationalisation evinced by the present Go« vernment was very generally denounced, and the final clauses of the bill came in for severe criticism. Objection was taken to ;o the clause which prevents married women from taking up land, and to the enormous powers proposed to be given to the Minister of Lands to determine what class of land selectors should take up. It was urged that to prevent a person from taking up more th n 200 acres of land was to say that a number of the most experienced people in the Colony with a considerable amount of capital were to be debarred from using their experience and capital in the acquisition of further lands, and in improving the same for the benefit of the country as well as of themselve. It was freely asserted to be the duty of the Legislative Council to restore the right of purchase, hitherto attached to perpetual leases. The assertion was made and denied that this bill was prompted by the Trades Unions of this Colony, and it was asserted, on the contrary, that the bill was the result of a demand made by the people of New Zealand for reform ia the land laws. In the matter of special set" tlements it was pointed out that the Minister of Lands was omnipotent in so far that he could say whether he would grant an application from an association or not. Objection was raised to nominated land boards as being liable to be utilised by the Government for politioal purposes. The Colonial Secretary in replying said that there was no more experienced man in lands than the present Minister of Lands. The Bill was a oardinal feature of the policy of the Government and any undue interference of the Council, seeing that the clauses of the Bill had been carried by such a large majority in another place would not bring the Council that favour whioh it had a right to expect. The second reading of the Bill was agreed to on the voices and it was referred to the Waste Lands Committee. Progress of Business. Short and crisp speeches showing a desire to end the business of the session were the feature of ta-day's discussions in the House of Representatives. Quite a substantial day's work was done, no fewer than six bills being dealt with between 2 30 p.m. and the supper adjournment. Those disposed of at the evening were the Lyttelton Harbour Board Lands Bill and the final stages of the Government Loans to Local Bodies Bill, which the Opposition criticised in very scathing terms on account of its giving the Minister power to spend £50,000 a year without parliamentary control. The Law Practitioners Bill. There has been a good deal of curiosity as to how Sir George Grey's Law Practitioners Bill wouid fine in tbs Legislative Counoil but it ia very doubtful whether it will ever ooma on for diaoussion. It was to-day put far down on the order paper so far indeed that it is not likely to be reaohed again. Wellington, This Day. Mr Molleston Chosen, Leader of the Opposition. The Opposition held a caucus this forenoon, Sir John Hall presiding, at whioh the choice of a leader fell unanimously on Mr Rolleston. It was agreed to appoint a Committee) to watoh the interests of the party during the recess and disseminate news from the variouß oentree. The Parliamentary Library. Colonel de Quinoey has been recommended by tbe Library Committee to act as librarian in addition to holding the offioe of Sergeant-at-arms.