LAND TENURE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10137, 25 August 1904, Page 2

LAND TENURE.

The Government caucus held on the eve of Parliament meeting decided tliat Hit* question of freehold v. leasehold should be. determined by a Royal Coinmiss-ion to be set up during the recess, as suggested by the Premier. Members with freehold leanings who were anxious to avoid beiiijg driven into tho lobby to record their views m opposition to the. Government welcomed the proposal a«> a means of shelving the question, but during the past forty-eight hours (our Parliamentary reporter informs us) it lias been an open secret that the leader of Ilia Opposition intended to take advantage of the first Imprest Supply Bill to test llie House on the question of freehold and leasehold. The- Minister of Railways lias taken tlie wind out of Mr Massej-'s sails by tabling a motion practically affirming tlie desirability of setting up Royal Commission to open up the whole, question of land settlement and the conditions thereof. Tliere was no necessity for this motion, beyond the broad principle tluit it was desirable to consult the House before setting up a Royal Commission on such an important question, the tabling of it is throwing down the gage of battle. That Mr Massey will accept the challenge goes without saying. An interesting debate may be anticipated. The motion, however, is so cleverly worded as to capture the votes of the freeholders on the Ministerial side who are pledged to stay their hand till a Royal Commission has reported. The Premier is doubtless the author of the wily move, and has Again demonstrated his slimness as a Parliamentary tactician.