THE LAND BILL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13314, 17 June 1907, Page 5

THE LAND BILL.

MR MeNAB IN TARANAKI. Per Press Association. 4 STRATFORD, June 35/ The, Hon. R, McNab gave an address here last evening on the Land Bill. A resolution was carried at the close of .the address on the motion of thci county chairman:—"That this meeting expresses' its. gratification that ib is the Government's intention to prevent, by means of a graduated land tax, the aggregation of large,. estates ; also that -thei Government intends to retain'on the Statute Book, the freehold option, and expresses its approval of the- proposed endowments." THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS. TRISECTING THE BILL. WELLINGTON. June 15. In his speech at Stratford, the.Minister of Lands announced that the Government intended to effect thci .limitation of ■estate by pulling on a heavy graduated tax. In connection' with this .th-v" Post" states it is authorised bv the Minister to *nv that it, has been definitelv decided by .the Government that the' limitation proposals in' (he Bill will be. introduced on a taxation basis and that a measure on tl» c >e lines has been drafted and is now ready for presentation to .Parliament. These proposals will really' b» made part of a Taxation Till which will b"i s-u!)miti!ed separately to tin Hoi-.". The endowment prop'of-ds Avi.ll also be submitted separatelv and the .net rf«ulL AViU therefore be that anv person who -desires to take ny> a section of land will (outvie of the endowment be sti!' i" a. position to take up either the f"r<*°hohUar the- I'-:iwhold. The- small landholders in New Zealand have; been quietly pressing for limitation proposals of a nim-e r!iv<y.!,V,"chara"ter than those l outlined in the Bill )»•• -°nt'-"l t n Parliament last v«w. So f-i.r m (he Mini*!-"!' e.in see. the only direction in whidi trouble is- now likelv to ar.hi ; « the substitution o f the 65 vearN for the 999 y°avs •not anticipate -that.-the.' Government will b;>ve any a-"it are-»t difficulties, to ..contend Avitili in'fiThtinsr .tin* demand! for tye .freehold but if anv.system of freehold is eon-f-dpd. jt -"ill have *o be, alonsr th.e lines of ':i u'cilitieation of last year's .measure. Tli" L.-'hd Bill, will be a.juonsr.st the verv tir-t liusine«*s of the session and it Avill be introduced in the slpme of-three concrete prnvidrncr for. fa-1 IJnut.ation by avs.v of p-rarl.uated tax. (b) State, eudowof boid. i i'c) The Bill proper dealing with th°- sixty-six years' lease and lense-iii-Tievpetnjty- .tenants and amendments ofminor • imnoi Lance to existing leeislat/ion.