HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Southland Times, Issue 8063, 18 July 1885, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m.

Replying to questions, it was stated that the Government could not permit the use of a private still in New Zealand for the manufacture of spirits of wine.— Free passes on the railways were not issued to travelling agents of the Government Insurance Association. Sir George Grey introduced a bill to provide for the election of Justices of the Peace. Sir Julius Vogel's motion re a fresh 'Frisco mail contract was postponed until Friday next in order to allow a return to be prepared of the costs of the direct mail service and San Francisco service.

Mr Ballaoce moved the second reading of the Land Bill. He said it was a consolidation measure with some new clauses, which would largely increase the powers of the Government in administrating the land. He believed there was nothing ia the world to equal the perpetual leasing system, which had been very successful. - He thought, however, that they should not confine themselves to one particular system, but should give all systems a fair trial. He contended that the special settlement system had been a failure, although be did not blame the Ministers who introduced the system. He strongly advocated the operation of the ballot in sales of land as he considered the deferred payment system had failed owing to the By^tem of sales by auction that prevailed. Mr Rolleston congratulated Mr Ballanco for the speech he bad made, and on his desire to settle the people on the land. He thought they should have BOrne oertainty in their land leases. Ha advocated the utmost variety in dealing with agricultural land so as to promote the settlement of bona fide occupiers, He was glad to find the perpetual leasing system was attracting so much attention at present, and he thought the system would answer better than the homestead system. . Mr Montgomery said there should be some uniformity in the land laws of the colony, He advocated the introduction of the homestead system.

Messrs Boetham, Hurst, Hobbs, Kerr, and Moat also spoke to the second reading.

Debate interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

Evening Sitting.

The Houae resumed at 7.30 p.m.

Mr Ivess thought that, if the bill passed into law any person desirous of obtaining a holding would have no difficulty in acquiring what was requisite. Ha hailed the bill with satisfaction, and held that no colony could be complete unless it had liberal land laws.

Mr Bruce objected to the perpetual leasing system, as be thought it bad in principle, and would become vicious in practice. The land should be sold in as small allotments as possible, and disposed of to persons on favourable terms. He felt bound to oppo&e the present bill.

Mr Hurstbouse was in favour of the perpetual leasing system and a reduction in price of L 5 (?) to a minimum. He could see nothing objectionable in the. bill, and therefore would support it. Mr Joyce preferred the deferred payment system to perpetual leases.

Mr M. McKenzie thought the best system was that most acceptable and profitable to the State, and he contended the perpetual system was not desirable ; that tbe object of settlement was to stimulate production, and freehold tenure was mostly calculated in bis opinion to carry tbat out. As to deferred payments, he regretted tbat the period in which Crown grants should be issued had been altered. | He considered that several clauses in the bill wera of a retrospective, character, inasmuch as they imposed conditions which, were not in the original bargain. With reference to tbe clause known as tbe " McKenzie clause," the author of the .clause was evidently ashamed of* it, as when he saw the Land .Bill was 'up for discussion he (the member for Moeraki) took, his departure for Otago that day, Tbat clause had been denounced by the Press and by all persons except perhaps the Premier. The clause provided that no person holding 20,000 sheep or more could purchase any pastoral land. ' The clause was inoperative, and he hoped the House wouldthrow out that objectionable •provision, ,- . ''" * The Premier hoped the perpetual leasing clauses would ,be retained, and in support .of bis argument contended that the best farms in Southland were carried on under leaseholds without any reliable tenure. Ho thought it 'would be a sad day for "New Zealand when it had no ' State land. He hoped the House would confirm the legislation of last session and provide that deferred payment selectors shouldnet be, empowered 0 geii after tbrw

yejars. He defended the McKebzie clause, as it prevented a monopoly. ; Mr Duncan would support the bill With some amendment. '

;Mr Fisher thought the Minister of Lands deserved credit ior introdacin^ the measure as it showed an evident desire to settle people on the land.; He: opposed the perpetual leasing system. The auction system was/ responsible for the break down :o£ the - rfetfernp payment .system in the coiiutryj 4ind he . would be glad to 869 the Mlibt Bubstitoted/ 1 Mr Smith coraplaiae«i of the working ,pf Waste Lands^Boardsi^ like to see tho elective principle introduced. He advocated the^cutting dp of the ljand into small holdings, and favoured theleasing aystera. v . - Major Bte Vjrard >aid a good deal tp be said in favour bt the perpetual leasing^system, but he"^^wpuld : do ; away altogether with deferred "payments ag many persons came. to the colony expecting" to get freeholds. -::\l

Mr Pyke could not see any principle in tbe bill; which was purely a consolidation measure, and therefore was ibe old thing hashed up again; J3e defer anyremarks until the bUI was in comniittee. Mr Bal lance replied to the arguments against the bill, and said he was gratified at the way the measure had been received by, the House. '' ...;. : - V.'X >■'', ..-'^ ; The -second reading was carried on the voices. "...•--

Tbe Stamp Act Amendment Bill and Deceased Persons' Estate Datiea Act Amendment Bill were read a second time.

The debate on tbe Customs Act Amend* ment Bill was resumed, and after an hour and a half's discussion the eepond leading was carried; on the voices, and the House rose at 1.30 a.m. .- ■ , „ -, c