MR MASSEY AND THE PREMIER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8102, 30 August 1904, Page 3

MR MASSEY AND THE PREMIER.

MOTION AND AMENDMENT. " [Fkom Ouk Cobresponuent.] WELLINGTON, August 30. The following are the terms of Mr Massey's amendment to the Premier's motion to set up. a Commission of Inquiry regarding the land question : — (1)". This Houee, as representing the people (a) recognises the urgent necessity for reform in the land laws of the colony; (b) asserts its competency, to devise reme- j dial measures without the delay which ;. would be occasioned by the appointment of j a commission of inquiry, and (c) is there- i fore of opinion that it should be afforded an opportunity, during the present -session, of passing the necessary legislation. (2)." That-, with a view to further encouraging and promoting settlement, giving more confidence to those occupying the lands, and'removing'causes'of irritation, it i,s desirable (a) that tenants occupying Crown lands under-lease in perpetuity, who have complied with reasonable conditions, shall be allowed the option of converting their' leaseholds into freeholds, with limitation of area, and that all moneys so received shall be used for the purchaso of further land under the Land for. Settlements Act; (b) that the conditions of occupation and residence shall be accommodated to the exigencies of -pioneer. settlement, and thau the regulations governing the cultivation and management of land, held under leas*? from the Crown, shall be modified to suit climatic conditions and the characteristic:* .of'the soil; (c) that the principle of tho homestead provisions of the, Land Act, 1885, shall be embodied in the Land Act; (d) that Parliament shall ba given an early opportuuity of deciding whether the constitution of Land Boards shall be altered, in the direction of securing the more effective representation of the views of j Crown tenant's." j The fbllft-Wiiig is 'th© Premier's motion:- --" That, with a view to further encouraging and promoting land settlement aud removing any anomalies and disabilities, if found to exist, it is advisable that inquiry should be mado in respect to the constitution of Land Boards, the tenures upon which lands may be obtained and occupied, „and whether Crown tenants labour under restrictions which are inimical to their wellbeing and unnecessary in the interests of the State; also to inquire and advise whether the residential conditions now existing are too exacting and require relaxing, and ac to whether, owing to tha varying conditions existing in respect to the climate and land configuration in the several parts of the colony, an- alteration and variation in tho law regarding tenure and occupation is necessary, also as to the re-intro-duction of the homestead privileges, and .aa to the working of tbe present. ballot system - and the dealing with applications for land, and lastly to report generally the result of their investigations in regard to the • condition and position of thoso oi our colonists holding ahd occupying the lands of the State under tke*several tenures now ob- 1 taining."