MR H. P. MURRAY-AYNSLEY'S POLITICAL OPINIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3555, 2 September 1879, Page 3

MR H. P. MURRAY-AYNSLEY'S POLITICAL OPINIONS.

Dec. 11, 1875. THE LAND QUESTION. "He was personally interested in land only o the extent of 9000 or 10,000 acres, and herefore it could not be said that he would ;ive ah interested vote on this question. Ifc raa true that the firm to which he belonged lad connection with a great many squatters tn this Province, bufc fchis did not affecfc the (case at all. They sent large quantities of 'wool to lyttelton, bufc ifc did not matter whether it was sent by one firm or by several individuals. He was of opinion thafc no injustice should be done to any class of the community. He was opposed to the cutting up of the land infco five thousand acre blocks, because, by such a syatem, some runs would be obtained with good frontages, whilst those at the back would be found fco be of inferior quality. He considered that competent valuators should be appointed fco assess the value of fche runs, and fchafc the present holders should have the option of taking fchem up. If fchey did nofc consider the runs wifch fcho price fixed, then let the runs be open to publio competition. Lefc fchem get a fair price for their runs. Lefc fchem put on a full fair value, and if the land was taken up during fche year for which rent had been paid, he considered that an equivalent amount of rent should be returned fco tho party taking oufc a pasturage license. He had a strong belief in fche presenb Land Regulations. He had all along believed in fche price and principle of free selection. The system had worked well in the past, and had preventod speculators from taking up large blocks of land simply for sheep runs. He was opposed fco any change being made in fche existing Land]Begulations, bo far as the price and principle of free selection were concerned. If this system were departed from, the settlement of the country would be retarded, and he should therefore oppose any attempt that might be made fco change the system which had been in operation in Canterbury." June 12, 1877. "With regard to the runs, Mr Wason brought in a Bill to put them all up fco auction on May 1, 1880. Tho consequence would have been fchat thero would havo been a ring formed to buy the runs, or the owners of stock would have been at the nieroy of the buyers. His own opinion was that the runs should bo assessed by independent persons, bo fchafc fchey might get the highest price going. They had greafc difficulty in the House in making some members understand fchis question. They either did nofc or would not understand it, and it was therefore pufc off for a year. He did nofc fchink fchey ought; to break off free selection — it had answered well in the past, and would do so in fche future. He waß against fche system of leases granted in Otago being in vogue in Canterbury. Let them try and get the highest rent from tho present holders who had the license to occupy. Lasfc year ifc was understood fchafc a clause should be put in ending the licensing system Canterbury. They did nofc want the deferred payment introduced infco this province." August 22, 1879. "Wifch regard to manhood |Buffrage the Opposition had been prepared to vote for two years' residence. He did not tbink that anyone who had no interest in a place should have a vote. He would have a residential qualification of fcwo years. A man should not be put on the roll till ho knew the oountry. The land laws were suro to be altered, from time fco time. The Bquatters would have to pay certain rates nexfc May. ■' The land had been assessed, and those who paid the assessment; could hold fche land till 1890, provided that no one took £2 an acre and bought ifc. In 1882 all runs could be fiufc up fco auction. All lands on a run nofc reehold are open for sale after nexfc May. He considered the land tax was a very bad tax, as it fcook only a particular portion, bufc nofc all of a man's property. He was ready iot a property tax, and would vote for ifc."