CROWN LAND SALES TO BE RESTRICTED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19201, 15 October 1930, Page 7

CROWN LAND SALES TO BE RESTRICTED.

LIMIT OF 5000 ACRES ON INFERIOR LOTS. (Special to the “ Star.’*) WELLINGTON, October 15. In the face of strong opposition from the Reform and Labour benches, the Government agreed in the House this morning to restrict to 5000 acres the area of inferior Crown lands that might be disposed of to one applicant without the sanction of Parliament. The Bill originally provided for a limit of 50,000 acres, and the proposition was the subject of a long debate which lasted into the small hours.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Coates) first moved that no areas be sold unless the consent of Parliament was first obtained, but the actingprime Minister (Mr Ransom) pointed out that this would involve delay, and might even prevent transactions taking place.

The leader of the Labour Party (Mr FI. E. Holland) said that the amendment took no cognisance of the sale of sm>tfl areas, and he was supported by the acting-Prime Minister, who said that the limit of the present Act was 5000 acres. Mr Ransom then suggested that the restriction might be cut down to 15,000 acres, but still the House was not satisfied, Mr J. A. Young (Reform, Hamilton) stating that a company could purchase 15,000 acres one week, and another 15,000 the following week, thus avoiding the intention of the Act.

Mr R. A. Wright (Reform, Wellington Suburbs) said that the clause was entirely opposed to the policy laid down by old Liberals such as Sir John M’Kenzie.

Air E. J. Howard (Labour, Christdrnrch South): It would make him turn in his grave. Mr Coates said he knew of areas which companies were already convert, ing, and he considered that strict safeguards should be imposed. Mr Ransom said he had not heard of any interests awaiting the passage of the Bill to pounce on properties. The reason the Government had inserted the provision in the Act was that companies planting flax and tung oil trees ( would provide a substantial amount of employment, and also utilise lands at present idle. Mr J. Bitchener (Reform, Waitaki): The same old excuse—unemployment. The Minister said that there appeared to be strong opposition to any increase 'in the present restriction, and he asked the leader of the Opposition to amend his motion limiting the area to be disposed of without the sanction of Parliament to 5000 acres. This course was followed, and the clause was passed. A Close Division. Earlier in the debate the House experienced the closest division this session when a vote was taken on the amendment of Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Independent, Egmont) to invest the power to dispose of lands in the Minister instead of a board as provided in the Bill. The result was twenty-nine votes for and a similar numberr against. The Chairman of Committees ( Air YV. A. Bodkin) gave his casting vote against the amendment. Laughter mingled with applause greeted the appearance in the chamber of Mr D. M’Dougall (United, Mataura) wearing a white dust-coat.