THE LAND BILL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13835, 23 February 1907, Page 10

THE LAND BILL.

TO BE .PROCEEDED WITH. (Pkr United Pmss Association.) WELLINGTON, February 22. The statement made in a telegram from Wairoa that the Native Minister, in tho course of a speech in that town, indicated the probability that- the Land Bill would be dropped, was brought under the notice of tho Acting Prime Minister by a Post icportor this morning. Tho Hon. Mr Ilall - Jones informed the interviewer that the, Government had no intention to drop tho bill, which lie considered was in accordance with .the. wishes of the great majority of the people and of the members of the House. lie could not credit that the Native Minister had made tho statement attributed to him and lie felt that his colleague had been misreported.

SPEECH BY HON. J. CAIUWLL.

(Pbr United Friss Association.) 1 WAIttO. February 22. In his speech at Wairoa, tho Native Ministor (tho Hon. .T. Carroll) made only passing reference to the Land Bill, pointing out that, lie had no desire at present to trench on what- was particularly the province of his colleague (the Hon. K. M'Sa l ;). He, however, made it. clear that the Government. was thoroughly in earnest in its desire to arrive'at a solution of the question of closer settlement. That had all along been a main plank in tli.e Liberal Government's policy, and that policy would continue. \Vhilo there would bo no departure from the cardinal principles of the bill, the Government would of course endeavour to perfect, any weakness that might"" happen to present itself in the measure. Some people bold that an increase in the graduated' land tax, rather than the limitation of area, would better piomoie the desired end, and he was inclined to think that the former meihod was the least complicated. The demand of the country for closer settlement. would have to receive immediate practical attention.