THE LAND BILL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13894, 4 May 1907, Page 10

THE LAND BILL.

ADDRESSES BY MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. (Per United Peess Association.) AUCKLAND, May 3. Mr C. 11. Poole, addressing his constituents, said he believed that the Land Bill was brought down by Mr M'Nab for the purpose of gauging public opinion. It was an honest attempt to solve tho question, and tho voice of tho people was lieirig hei'rd. lie prophesied that a Pure Foods Rill would pass next session, Mr Poolo was accorded a vote of tlmnks and confidence. KLTIIAM, May 3. Mr Masscv addressed a large meeting on tho Laud Bill. A resolution was carried that the freehold tenuro was tho most suitable form. OHIIISTCHURCH,'May 3. Speaking at Darfield last night, Mr Charles Lewis, M.11.R., said that, as an Opposition member, ho would like to sec the Land Bill passed as at first presented, so that by actual experience the people would know what Liberalism in land matters meant. He strongly criticised the "limitation" clauses, not on their own account, but for their grounds and effects. Tho £50.000 limit would not free any land for a man with small moans, because ho would not be able to buy outright, owing to tho inability of tho vender to regain his land if a partially completed sale fell through. The £15,000 limit would cripple the leading powers of tho institutions on whoso loans the success of the farming industry practically depended. The actual clauses he did not oppose, and would, as a party man, pass the whole bill, though as a responsible man he would oppose tho parts he disanroved of. Ho slrcmKly disapproved of tho proposal to abolish optional (enure as the most distinct and flagrant breach of faith ever perpetrated by any Government. He condemned tlio cndorscmont cltutscs as abject nonsense, and as being inadequate to do what Mr M'Nab exported. The total result of the limitation and unimproved value system would be to seriouolv check imorovcnients.. INVERCARGILL. May 3. Mr Thomas Mackenzie, M.11.R. for Waikouaiti, addressed a public meeting in the A'ietoria Hall this evening on the subject of the Government Land Bill. Mr Sca-n----drolt, tho Mayor, introduced the speaker as an early settler well acquainted with the evolution of land legislation in this colony, and well litteil to express an opinion on the probable outcome of further land legislation.

]ieforo tloalintj with tlio Land Bill, the speaker referred to the question ot preferential trade. He deplored the fact that while (ho Homo Country bought our profit'cts we did not uroperly reciprocate, our imports from Britain increasin- by only 66 per cent., while imports from foreign countries had increased by 200 per cent, While the question of trade development was of irroat importance, the Question of land settlement was equally great, and it behoved all to understand and carefully consider the imnort of tho Government's Land for Settlements Bill. Ho did not consider the Government proposal to allow perpetual leaseholders to nay off nine-tenths of the value as had. It rclioved tho pettier of irksome conditions and provided the Government with money, but ■he greatly preferred the' freehold. The endowment scheme, ho said, promised much, hut in effect would grant nothing, as the proposed endowments would not provide tho revenue expected. The Crown lauds loft were only the "rag-lag and bobtail," which would novel' be taken up except as freehold, if, indeed, they wore taken up at all. That part of the bill which called on those holding over £50,000 worth of land to dispossess themselves had, he said, his approval. Small holdings had throughout the v/orld's history been proved to be best for the community generally. The struggle which went on in Europe during hundreds of years was a struggle not only for subdivision but for freehold, The tendency of landlordism, whether by the State or the individual, tended to the enslavement of J.he tiller of tho soil, hut lie did not insist on the settler taking the freehold. He only wanted to offer him tho option. The tendency was. for the country people to crowd into the towns, and everything should be done to make land settlement attractive, and make a free and independent people. But he did not believe that the Government was now sincere regarding its Land Bill, as the Attorney-general had lately admitted that some of its provisions were being found impracticable, while the Minister of Lands himself had said that ho did not believe in the enforcement of the compulsory caluses, That the Government was not sincere was proved bv its neglect to acquire the Moa Flat and Clyde., valo Estates—estates whioh wcro taken up and turned over by syndicates at a large profit. A spirit of unrest had grown up among agriculturists in eonsequenco of the utterances of Ministers, uttecanoes which, if given effect to, would paralyso the hand of the farmer. Our farmers were disposing of their products at Home in unequal competition with nearer and more down-trodden peoples, and further disadvantage would cripple them. To try to mako farmers pay for remissions of Customs duties was unfair, and if incomes wore exempt up to £300, the exemption shotdd apply to land holding. Many of tho past and present Liberal Ministers had begun their parliamentary lives as freeholders and finished as leaseholders, and the present Ministers were showinV such a disposition to alter material clauses that- one could scarcely know what their real principles were, indeed, since the death of the ITon. .1. M'Kenzie the Government's land uolicy had been a policy of shilly-shally. The late Premier would have a mandate from the people, and appointed a commission co--ting £10,000, and when it announced that it favoured the optional tenure tlie report was quickly shelved. The issue freehold versus leasehold should be put clearly before the country, and t.he Government should stand or fall on tho result. Practical politics had become impossible, and nothing but a dissolution could mend matters. On the motion of Mr J. E. Watson, seconded by Mr IJorau, a hearty voto of thank"; was passed to Mr M'Kem.io for his able and interesting address, and a similar compliment to the chairman brought tho •meeting to a closc.

Mr George Laurenson. M.H.R., has agreed to help in the campaign in favour of the Land Bill. The member for Lvttelfon will probably speak at Mosgiel next week.