THE LAND BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13483, 9 May 1907, Page 6

THE LAND BILL.

: ME. MASSEY. AT CHEVIOT. , . "TREMENDOUS FIGHT APPROACH-' '■-!■-. / ING." ' ; ;: ; : ';i [by. TELEGRAPH. association.] Christcitorch, Wednesday. Mr. W. H. Massey, M.H.R., Leader of the Opposition, visited. Cheviot yesterday, at the invitation of a number of the settlers in that district. ; He was met at Domett by Messrs. T. Meikle (chairman of the Cheviot Countv Council), S. Smith (president of the Cheviot l Settlers' Association), and a number of representative :' settlers, ' and spent the afternoon driving round the:district. In .the evening, Mr. Massey delivered an address :at the Town Hall. The meeting was the largest that has ever been held at Cheviot. Mr. Massey's address was directed chiefly to the laud question. He had an' enthusiastic reception, and the keenest interest was manifested in his speech from start to finish. His- address, was on the lines of previous speeches delivered by him during the recess.:,■ i ■.; \'.' ■'.' ■ '{■'] "•.'.:"; . : ' : "- •At the close, -.. the following motion was proposed, viz., "That this meeting accords a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Massey" for his statesmanlike address, and is of opinion that the optional system of tenure is the most satisfactory method of settling the people upon the land." An amendment was moved, " That this meeting, thanks Mr.' Massey for;'j his % address, and expresses its entire confidence in the present Government's Liberal land policy." "■ v •'-"' "* ".;• The motion was carried by large majority, amidst much enthusiasm. • , ) ..-.. In returning thanks, Mr. Massey said there was a tremendous fight approaching, on the question of freehold and - leasehold. He could give the audience this assurance, that the Land Bill of the Government was not going to be passed into law so long as he remained a member of • Parliament. (Loud, applause. Ho was not i speaking egotistically or boastingly, but they would - have to expel him before the Bill passed into law. He would never rest, and those working with him : would ) never rest, until, every settler on the land of , the Crown had the right of option of purchase. (Loud cheers.) „ - ■ , =, .. Mr. Massey returned to Wellington tonight. ' " \ MEETING AT : WAIHOU. : . [BY TELEGRAPH.— own CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Wednesday. On Tuesday Mr. L. P.; • Phillipps addressed a meeting of farmers at Waihou on the Land Bill. ; Mr. O'Donovan presided. A resolution was carried unanimously favouring the optional tenure.".-.