THE LAND BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8437, 8 May 1907, Page 5

THE LAND BILL.

By Telegraph—Press Association. RANGIORA, May 7. Mr G. W. Leadley, Vice-President' of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, arid Mr J. Burgess, of Tararaki, opened the Fdrmers' Union campaign in Canterbury to-night, by addressing a fairly well-attended meeting at Rangiora. Mr F. Horrell, Chairman of the Mandeville Road Board, "presided.

Mr Leadley stated that the Union was not actuated by any political party motives, and would not be drawn into the "mud puddle" of party politics. Reviewing the chief clauses of the Land Bill he quoted, Mr McNab's statement that the real object of the Bill was to cheapen land. He strongly condemned this in view of the fact that the land was security for large amounts of public and private loans. After adversely criticising the endowment and limitation clauses he strongly condemned the provision requiring mortgagees, who have become purchasers of mortgaged rural lands, to disposess themselves of such lands within two years. Mr Burgess instanced the inadequate allowances made for improvements by the Government valuers, and dealt with other matters relating to the freehold. A resolution "that no land system will be acceptable unless it includes thejoption of acquiring the freehold" was moved, but was out-voted by the supporters of an amendment expressing confidence in the Government and approval of the Land Bill.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press- Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright