LAND FOR SETTLEMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5730, 27 October 1905, Page 5

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT

THE FREEHOLD. HEATED DEBATE. . LEASEHOLDERS ANGRY. Early this morning in the House there was an unexpected development on further consideration of the Land for Settlements Extension Bill. Mr Baumo 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-porpe-tmry.

The second reading of the clause was carried by 34 votes to 25, The clause was added to the bill by 40 votes to 20. Mr Baumo moved a new clause, “All such land shall bo open to selection lor 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, ‘•Wo havo been grossly deceived and cheated to-night by the man above all others who professes to be the loader of tho Liberal party” (referring to tho Premier). , Amid cries of “ Oh’s, ’ Air T. Mackenzie asked whether such language was m order. . Mr Laurenson: I mean it in a political sense. The member for Lyttelton heatedly 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,” ho added, and ho then moved that the Chairman leave tho 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 Seddoh said Air Laurenson and Mr Taylor had hugely blundered. Ho (tho Premier) had asked that the question of tenure should not ho brought in on this hill, but the members mentioned rushed headlong on the rocks, with tho 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 never known a more stupid mistake in his life. A general debate on the freehold and the Government’s attitude in connection therewith ensued, A4r Taylor alleging that the Premier had “gone over to the Farmers’ Union for ' tho sake of popularity.” Tho motion that the Chairman, leave the chair was lost on the voices. Mr Seddon moved to progress, and this was carried on the voices.