LAND FOR SETTLEMENT

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1756, 1 November 1905, Page 21

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT

THE FREEHOLD. HEATED DEBATE. LEASEHOLDERS ANGRY. Early on Friday morning in the House there was an ' Unexpected development on further consideration of the Land for Settlements Extension Bill. Mr Baume moved a new clause to provide that no land acquired under this act shall, after the passing of the act, be disposed of by lease-in-perpe-tuity. Tbe second reading of tbe clause was carried by 34 votes to 25. The clause was added to the bill by 40 votes to 20. Mr Baume moved a new clause, “All such land shall he open to selection for occupation with right to purchase in the same manner and subject to the like conditions as if such lands were rural lands under the Land Act, 1892, and the amendments thereof.”—This was carried on its second reading by 38 votes to 22.

At this stage Mr Laurenson declared. £r We have been grossly deceived and cheated to-night by the man above all others who professes to be the leader of the Liberal party” (referring to the Premier). „ , Amid cries of “ Oh’s,” Mr T. Mackenzie asked whether such language was in order. . . , Mr Laurenson: I mean it m a political sense. The member for Lyttelton heatedlyi went on to charge the Premier with having forsaken principle on this question in order to retain power. “ I have no words strong enough to characterise it,” he added, and he then moved that the Chairman lea re the chair (with the object of killing the bill). Mr Taylor declared that the Premier had just voted for the unconditional freehold, in spite of his leasehold declarations. Mr Seddon said Mr Laurenson andl Mr Taylor had hugely blundered. He (the Premier) had asked that the question of tenure should not be brought in on this bill, but the members mentioned rushed headlong on the rocks, with the result that they became a perfect wreck. If they had voted with him they could have amended the leasing principle, but instead of that they had! voted against him. He had known a more stupid mistake in his life. A general debate on the freehold and the Government’s attitude in connection therewith ensued, Mr Taylor alleging that the Premier had “gone over to the Farmers’ Union for the sake of popularity.” The motion that the Chairman, leave the chair was lost on the voices. Mr Seddon moved to report progress, and this was carried on the voices.