THE LAND BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13482, 8 May 1907, Page 8

THE LAND BILL.

FARMERS' UNION IN OPPOSITION.

[BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

' :.-.-';■- Kawhia, Tuesday. ; '.. Last night Messrs. Allan Bell and Geo. Flanagan, representatives of the Farmers' Union, addressed a large meeting here, on the Land Bill. The Hon. W.. W. McGardie, M.L.C., presided. At the conclusion of the addresses, : Mr. W. J. Shaw, chairman of the Kawhia County Council,;and president "of the ; Kinohaka Farmers' Union proposed, "That this meeting views with great fear and alarm the proposed Laud . Bill, as we feel sure that if.it becomes law it will very materially retard: the 'i prosperity of the whole colony." The resolution was carried unanimously. / Matamata, Tuesday. .v Mr., L. R. Phillipps addressed a Avellattended meeting of larmers at Matamata, on Monday, on the Land Bill, Mr. Bowles presiding. A resolution was carried unanimously favouring optional tenure. THE SOUTHERN CAMPAIGN. ; [Br TELEGRAPH.—., ASSOCIATION.] Ranoiora, Tuesday. '.- Mi - . G. W. Leadley, vice-president. of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, and Mr. J. Burgess, of Taranaki, opened the Farmers' Union campaign in- Canterbury to-night by addressing a fairly well-attended meeting at Rangiora. Mr. F. Horrell, chairman of the Mandeville Road Board, presided. Mr. Leadley stated that the union was" not actuated by any political party motives. Reviewing the chief clauses of the Land Bill he quoted the Hon. R. McNab's statement that the real object of the Bill was to cheapen land. lie strongly condemned this in view of the fact that the land was the security for large amounts of public and private loans. After adversely criticising the endowment and limitation clauses he strongly condemned the provision.requiring mortgagees who have become the purchasers of mortgaged rural lands to dispossess themselves of such lands within two years. Mr. Burgess instanced the inadequate allowances made for improvements by Government valuers as a strong reason for desiring the freehold. A resolution that no land system will be acceptable unless it includes the option of acquiring the freehold was moved, but was voted by the' supporters of an amendment expressing confidence in the Government and approval of the Land Bill. "