THE LAND QUESTION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10141, 30 August 1904, Page 2

THE LAND QUESTION.

IMPORTANT PARLIAMENTARY

DEBATE.

MB MASSEY'S AMENDMENT.

(From our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Following Hire the terms of Mr Massey's amendment \regarding the Premier's motion to set up a coanindssiion of inquiry on the subject of landi tenure :— "1. , That this House (a) recognises the urgent neces- , sity of reform of the land laws of the colony; (b) its competency to devise remedial measures wihout the. delay which, would be occasioned ;by tlie appointment of a commission of inquiry.; and (c) therefore is of the opinion 'that it should* he afforded an opportunity during the present session of passing the. necessary legislation 1 . 2. That with' a view to further encouraging and promoting settlement, giving more confidence to those occupying lands, and 1 removing causes of irritation., it is desirable (a) that tenants occupying Crown lands under lease m pempetuity wlxo have complied with reasonable conditions shall be allowed the option of converting the leaseholds into freeholds with limitation of area', and that all moneys so received shall be used to purchase further land' under the Land for ypttleapsuts Act; (b) that the conditions of occupation and residence shall be accommodated to the exigencies of .pioneer, settlement ; that regulations governing the cultivation and manaigement of land held under lease from tlje> Crown shall be modified to suit the climatic conditions cluaxacterisfcic of the soil ; (c) that the principle of h» homestead provisions of the Land Act, 1885,". shall be embodied m the Xand Act; (d) that Poirlianient be given an> early opparbunity of deciding whether the constitution of Land Boards should be altered m the. direct ion «f secui'ing moro effectdve representations of the views of Grown- tenants."

Following is the Premier's motion tabled' on Wednesday: "That with a view to further encouraging and promoting land settlement ana) removing any anomalies if found to exist, it is advisable an enquiry should be made m respect to the .constitution of Land Boards, trie tenures upon wlhich lands may be obtained and: occupied, and 1 whether Crown tenants labor -under restrictions which are inimical to their well-being, and unnecessary m the interests of the State; also to enquire and advise whether the residenial conditions now existing are too exacting and require relaxing, and' as to whether, owing to tlie varying conditions exist iijg m respect of climate and land configuration m several .parts of the colony any alteration and variation: m. the law regarding tenure smd occupation is necessary ; also -oj to the idrotjwductkHi of the ltomestea'd iprdvileges, and us to the working of the present ballot syskam uihl dealing with applications for land; and, lastly, 'to report generally the result of their iuvestigations m regard to the comlitioni and position of those of our colonists holding and occupying the lands of . the State under the several tenures now obtaining."