MR HOWARD LOOKS FOR THE “NIGGER IN THE WOODPILE.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18577, 27 September 1928, Page 11

MR HOWARD LOOKS FOR THE “NIGGER IN THE WOODPILE.”

CHANGES PROPOSED IN TENURE OF COLLEGE ENDOWMENT LEASES. (Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, September 20. An amendment of the Canterbury College and Canterbury Agricultural College Act relating to its endowments was introduced by Governor-General’s message in the House of Representatives to-night, and provoked a discussion before it could be read a first time. Mr Howard (Christchurch South), remarking that it was rather late in the session to bring down a Bill dealing with college matters, asked if it contained anything vital. The Hon R. A. Wright, Minister of Education, replied that the Bill contained only two clauses, one a verbal alteration concerning the dates for closing rolls for elections. The more important clause would confer on the two boards the power, in case of existing lessees pressing for right of renewal, of negotiating not earlier than three years and not later than one year prior to the termination of the lease. The boards had a number of leasehold properties which did. not carry the right of perpetual renewal. Mr Howard: That is rather vital and alters the whole leasehold system. Mr Wright: It simply means that the College Governors may negotiate .with the lessees for a new contract instead cf the lessee having to. wait practically until the lease expires.. Meanwhile, not knowing what is going to happen, he allows the land to deteriorate. Mr Howard: This is a new principle. Up till now we have had to put a lease up to auction. THE USEHOLD PRINCIPLE. Mr Howard later inquired who introduced the Bill, who was behind it, and why was it introduced so late? These local bodies deserved a rap over the knuckles for making drastic alterations in their affairs right in the dying hours, of the session. The principle adopted right at the beginning was that these leases were to be put Tip for auction, but apparently the Bill made a change enabling the matter to be fixed up by negotiation with the tenant. He would not at that stage 6ay that he would oppose the Bill, because the principle it seemed to contain seemed to be part of the Labour platform of the usehold. (Laughter.) “I generally find that when Reform takes ever a Labour principle there’s a nigger in the woodpile, and I am looking for the nigger,” he said. The Prime Minister: You would fight your own shadow. Mr P. Fraser declared that the House laid it down that local members were to be informed of local legislative clauses, and it. was a principle laid down Iby the late Hon R 17.I 7 . Bollard that, if the members objected, the clause could not be passed. This system ought to be acted upon to-day. The Hon A. D. M’Leod, Minister of Lands, suggested that there was some confusion in members’ minds. The Bil! had nothing to do -with local bodies. He remembered that last session, when dealing with general legislation affecting Crown leaseholds, a request -was made that the same improved conditions should apply to the Canterbury College endowments. Only a month ago Mr Howard had discussed with the speaker the proposals which had come forward for improvement in the tenure c*f the Canterbury College endowments. Mr Howard then said he might speak against it, though he might not oppose it. Mr M’Lebd asked how, under these conditions, could it tie said that the Bill was sprung on the House. I The Hon D. Buddo expressed surprise at Mr Howard’s protest against the introduction of the Bill, because four or five months ago there was a delegation from Canterbury to the Minister of Lands which was unanimous on the point. There was to have been a consolidation measure, he believed, but apparently it had been mislaid. He would like to know why Education Endowment lessees should not have as good terms as Crown lessee's. The original representations went to the wrong Department, and the raatlter had been pushed around. : The Hon R. A. Wright, Minister of I Education, said he could not see why 1 a small two-clause Bill could not be | adequately considered in a fortnight. lAs a matter of faCf, he was not responsible for its introduction. There had been another clause submitted by the college authorities, which he could not approve. It dealt with the question of payment for improvements, and it was not included in the Bill. Ao Mr Howard was a member of, the College Board, it was surprising to hear him talking about springing the Bill on Canterbury members, for the Hon D. Buddo. had given the speaker no peace about it all the session, visiting him day after day. “If Canterbury members don't want the Bill, we will drop it,” concluded the Minister. The Hon A. D. M’Leod: The people who are farming the land are entitled to it. The Bill was read a first time and referred to the Lands Committee.