HAWKES BAY SQUATTERS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 12 August 1910, Page 5

HAWKES BAY SQUATTERS.

.VXD thk <;i;.\i>rATi:u tax. (By Telegraph.) (From Our ParliamtMitary Reporter.) WELLINGTON. Tliis Day A plea was made in the House of Rejuesen tat i vi-s last evening by Mr 11. Poland for I lie settlement of lands in iht; llauraki Peninsula. There were, ho said. L'Ud.injii acres which could be fc ell 11 ■ll without any interference with those associated, with tho in" 11 iii industry. Tin' form of tenure iti.di-r which i hi-y were oll'cred —a -I years' loa.-e under the llauraki Pastoral I.ra.-i-s Kegnla t ion: was not at a!| satisfactory, and t liv met hod of dual control which obtained led to unci -ding delay-, lie had actually known cases where applicants had taken it: re year., t<> secure :i title. There wa* too much res; rift ion placed nu ti:,. occupation of land in mining dis- ; licts. "Mr r.iland ad.led that his vi'w.s on the land question were easily stated. The one stt-p the Govt rnmenr should take wa . to increase ; l.e graduated land tax. Mr Hilloii. Oli. oh! Mr Poland: Ah! the member for Hawke's P.ay does not like that. Ho is one ot ih 0 few large squatters we have in the House. If 1 wer e in his shoes I would be sati.--.fied. and would not sa v "Oh. oh!" Mr Dillon comes from a district where 21 landowners hold two million acres between tlicm. That is nearly equivalent to the remaining total area in the hands of th 0 Maoris?. If I had my way I would make such- a substantial increase i n the graduated tax that these Uawke's Bay squatters would have to jump out. (Laughter and applause).