THE LAND BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13286, 19 September 1906, Page 7

THE LAND BILL.

STATEMENT BY MR. McNAB.

"ONE BIG ROW."

[UT TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Tuesday. In concluding his speech at Shannon last night on the Government's land proposals, the.Minister for Lauds (Mr. MeXab) said in regard to the compulsory reduction of the large estates that any Government would have been compelled to face the problem of providing land out of the large private estates to meet the demand for the freehold. There was bound to be a row when that question was touched on, but nearly all the great-'problems'" had nowreached such an acute stage that any Government which attempted to face them was bound to have a row. Taking that view of things the Government thought it was far better to face the whole lot at once, and one big row would do for the lot. (Loud laughter.).

There is some difference of opinion as to whether focal bodies who have borrowed money will be affected by clause 5 of the Land Bill, which reads "all Crown lands remaining unsold or unselected on the coming into operation of this Act (but not including settlement land or land reserved or set aside as endowments or reserves) ate hereby set apart as a, national endowment for the purposes hereinafter mentioned." At the present time certain Crown lands not reserved are liable for rating purposes, notably in the case of the New Plymouth Harbour Board, and a point in* question is whether the interests of the bondholders will be safeguarded under the clause as it now stands. If not, due provision will be made. The evidence of Dr. Fitchett (Solicitor-General), Mr. T. F. Martin (solicitor), and the chairman of the New Plymouth Harbour Board, will be taken on this matter to-morrow. The Bill was considered by the Lands Committee this morning, and the proceediii"s were of an interesting nature. It is doubtful now if the Hill will be reported from the committee this week.

[BY telegram.—press ASSOCIATION.] Hastings, Tuesday

The Hastings branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation has passed a. resolution urging the member for the district to give his whole support to the Land Bill now before Parliament.