Crisis?

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 5346, 1 December 1908, Page 1

Crisis?

Freehold v. Leasehold. A Swing of the Pendulum. Difficult Position of the Government. (Post). - The swing of the pendulum on the vexed question of land tenure has, judging by the results of the general election, gone for a time at least in the direction of the freehold, and it will require all the diplomacy and tact that the Premier possesses to keep his party together and defend his land policy from successful attack by Mr Massey and the supporters of the freehold. The elections resulted in a majority of 26 for the Government on its general policy. Out of that party, there are in the New Parliament eleven Government supporters who are pledged to the freehold. The Maori vote has been gradually inclined for the last few years to give the freehold to Europeans, and retain the leasehold in respect to Maori land. It is very probable that on 2 the land tenure question as it affects ; Crown lands they will support any proposal to give the freehold to Europeans in order that they may get the sympathy of the House for their leasehold land legislation. That will leave the Government in a very awkward position. It is fully anticipated that on the meeting of the new Parliament Mr Massey will move an amendment to the Address-in-Reply to the Governor’s Speech probably in this broad form: “That this House regrets that the Government in its land legislation has not made sufficient provision for the freehold tenure.” Such a resolution might prove wide enough to secure the adhesion of fifteen or sixteen Government supporters of the freehold, and that number, added to the Opposition party of 25 or 26, would leave the Government in a minority of 12 on such an amendment as is indicated above. The Constitutional Position. Then arises the question : What would be the constitutional position for the Governor to take up ? Would he send for Mr Massey to form a Government ? or would the Government be entitled to a dissolution? Tt must be remembered that one of the main questions before the electors —and, indeed, it was almost the first matter dealt with by every candidate —was the land question. The Gov ernment was returned by a majority of about 26 on its general policy. But amongst their party there are sufficient freeholders to turn the scale against them on a pure issue of leasehold versus freehold. So far as can be gathered, the precedents in the Old Country would seem to point to this : That the Governor would “send for” the mover of the hostile motion. But during recent years, in the self-governing colonies there are, it seems, some precedents the other way. If an examination of all the precedents shows beyond doubt that the Government would be entitled to a dissolution, that fact would have a material influence on the way the votes were cast on a non-con-fidence motion; and it is probable a way would be found out of the difficulty. Some of Those Pledged to Freehold. A division took place in committee on the Land Bill last year, on an amendment moved by Mr Lang to clause 3, proposing to give a right of purchase during the first term of the renewable lease. Those who supported the amendment were (25) : Allison, J. Allen, Bollard, Field, A. L. D. Fraser, W. Fraser, Greenslade, Gray, Hardy, Herries, Hornsby, Houston, Jennings, Lethbridge, T. Mackenzie, Malcolm, Mander, Massey, Okey, Remington, Ross, Thomson, Wilford; (Tellers), Lang, Major. Of those 25, there were 13 Government supporters, and of the 13, eight are members of the new Parliament, and it may be taken that they would adhere to their previous vote, on a no-confidence motion involving the granting of the freehold. Clause 3 of the National Endowment Act of 1907 provided that no national endowment land, or land under that Act, shall be sold, or be disposed of by way of occupation with right of purchase. Mr Massey moved to strike out the word “no” before “national,” with the view of altering the clause in other directions. Those who voted for the amendment were (19) : —J. Allen, A. L. D. Fraser, W. Fraser, Graham, Greenslade, Hardy, Herries, Houston, Lang, Malcolm, Mander, Massey, Okey, Reid, Remington, Ross, Wilford; (Tellers), Jennings, T. Mackenie.

Messrs Baume and Field paired for Mr Massey’s amendment. Seven of the above have been returned as Government supporters, and it may be

fairly assumed by Mr Massey that he would have their support on any strictly land tenure issue. The recent elections resulted in the defeat of a number of the Government Party who were staunch leasei holders, and their place has been taken by others who are pledged to the optional tenure; or to a greater instalment of freehold than now obtains in the country.