The Land Bill.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 13, 12 February 1907, Page 5

The Land Bill.

, MR McNAB'S TOUR. VISIT TO PATEA. Patea, February g. The Minister of Lands has been on a visit to this district in connection with Departmental matters. He inspected the Momohaki Experimental Farm, which he found in good order. He addressed a crowded audience on the Land Bill. He referred to the difficulties the Ward Ministry had to face in connection with tbe land problem, and traced the history of the question prior to his advent to office, laying special stress on the late John McKenzie’s proposals to meet the growing demand for land on the part of the people. He dealt exhaustively with the proposals of tbe Bill on the same lines as in his previous speeches, contending that if the proposals of the Bill were not given effect to existing evils would not be overcome. At the conclusion of the address Mr Pearse moved" That while this meeting appreciates Mr McNab's address it is opposed to any Land Bill which does, not give the country settler the benefit of the freehold.” Mr W. Wilson seconded. Mr H. Deane moved an amendment " That this meeting accords Mr McNab a hearty vote of thanks and approves the general principle of limitation of large holdings, and thinks that provision should be made by way of endowments for education, charitable aid, and old-age pensions.” The amendment was carried by a large majority. The Minister was frequently applauded during his speech.

FARMERS’ UNION CAMPAIGN. MEETING AT PAHIATUAi Pahiatua, February 9, Messrs Cooper and Matheson, representing the P'armers’ Union, addressed a meeting here last night on the Land Bill from the freehold standpoint, the Mayor presiding. Mr Cooper said the Minister of Lands had unwarrantably attacked the Farmers' Union on all platforms on which he had spoken, and it was for this reason that he (Mr Cooper) and his colleague had been appointed to speak, and, if possible, to remove any false impression that may have been created. The Minister could only be regarded as a freeholder, and in attacking the freehold, which undoubtedly the proposed Bill did, it was like old friends falling out, and becoming bitter enemies. It was quite justifiable to change one’s opinions, and for a man to do so required considerable moral courage, but it was as well for others to judge the reason, if there was one, for this change. Mr Cooper contended that the land legislation of Mr Rolleston was the best ever introduced, because it gave land on easy terms and enabled settlers to acquire the freehold The lease-in-perpetuity was a bad tenure for the poor man, but Mr McNab's sixty-six years' lease was infinitely worse. Various other proposals of the Land Bill were dealt with by Mr Cooper, and strongly opposed. Mr Matheson detailed his experiences as a member of the Land Commission, contending that the consensus of feeling in the country was in favour of the freehold. He twitted the Minister of Lands with changing his opinions on the land question. A motion was unanimously passed in favour of giving Crown tenants the option of the freehold, and also thanking Mr Cooper and Mr Matheson for their addresses.