ENDOWED LANDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3105, 17 September 1913, Page 59

ENDOWED LANDS.

DIFFICULTY AT OHAKUNE,

PARTY DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE

(From Ocr Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, September 10. The desire of a number of Crown tenants of endowment lands at Ohakune to acquire the freehold was the subject of a discussion in the House of Representatives to-day. The question gave rise to a discussion on freehold v. leasehold, which touched somewhat on the question of the principle of granting freehold to settlers on endowment lands.

The matter was taised by Mr R. W. Smith (Waimarino), who originally, brought down a petition from the Ohakune settlement concerned. This petition was referred to the Lands Committee, which reported that as the matter was a policy question it had no recommendation to make.

The Prime Minister stated that it was intended to deal with the case of the Ohakune settlers in a clause of tho “ Washing-up Bill. Mr Witty expressed the opinion that the Government should not meddle with national endowments.

Mr Massey said the proposal in the clause -would probably be that the settlers should be given the option of the freehold. Any money received by way of payment for these sections should be paid into the National Endowment Fund.

Mr Witty said the Ohakune settlers had been practically asked to apply for the frehold and told that if they nut in the present Government they woula get it. Mr Massey : The Ohakune settlers were not aware when they took up their holdings that they consisted of national endowment land.

Mr Witty contended that the settlers could very well go on under their present tenure, and that it would be against the interest of the State to part with the endowments.

Mr Coates said Mr Witty had taken a very narrow-minded view of this question. These Ohakune village settlers on taking up their holdings had been promised advances up to 60 per cent, on the value of their holdings. These promises had not been kept, and a deadlock had arisen which could best be got over* by effecting an exchange by proclaiming equal areas elsewhere as endowments and lifting the reservation upon these sections at Ohakune.

Mr Forbes admitted that the Ohakune settlers were suffering under a disability, but he contended that the position should be met by general legislation. Mr Buick defended the proposal to give the Ohakune settlers the option of acquiring the freehold, and declared that in this national endowment cry he detected the influence of the land nationaliser. Mr Hanan said it was clear from what the Prime Minister had said that the national endowments were in danger. In the Budget of last year it had been stated that there would be no interference with endowment lands, but now proposals were before the House which were in the direction of going back on that statement. There was a danger unless a strong protest was made by the Opposition members and the public of New Zealand and the democratic press that the national endowments would be destroyed. Tile Reform Government was now developing its undemocratic intentions, and by fostering the desire for the freehold had lit a fire that would be difficult to put out. Even municipal and harbour board endowmenta were in danger. Mr Isitt said that for ways that were dark and tricks that were vain the present Government was peculiar. He accused the Government of seeking to purchase votes by selling the heritage of the dominion and the Prime Minister of of executing a volte face in regard to endowments. Not one member of the Government party had raised his voice against tampering with endowment lands. “ The party whip cracks,” said Mr Isitt in a somewhat mixed metaphor,,J‘ and the sheep follow the bell wether absolutely abject.” Mr Glover said be would be unworthy of the great trust reposed in him by the constituency of Auckland Central if ho did not oppose any interference, however infinitesimal, with the national endowments.

Mir M'Callum said the present Government was the most corrupt Government that had ever occupied the Treasury; benches.

Mr E. Newman said he had been very much struck by the fact that not one Opposition member had suggested any practical way of getting over the difficulty as an alternative to the suggestion of the Prime Minister.

Mr R. W. Smith: “ Hear, hear.” Mr Newman contended that the only way to assist the 60 settlers at Ohakime was to give them the freehold. He hoped the Prime Minister would not lose sight of the fact that the freehold was just as important to every working man in this country as it was to the farmer. —(“ Hear, hear.”)