HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 26 October 1912, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House met at 2.30. An Imprest Bill was introduced by Governor's Message. The afternoon was devoted to a discussion as to whether or not the Advances Office should insist on borrowers mS urmg their property-in ?he 3u? 4 lre Insur »nee Office. Ihe House resumed at 7.30 p.m. tht w-^ dme.nt^ made b-v the Council in n^-X ld°.T S, Pensions Amendment Bill amii^he Defence Amendment Bill were 'agre^|t to. *-L *^>THE LxiND BILL. I^rrH^se.resumed consideration of *t, nd BUI in Committee. Mr xLaaeey moved to eliminate Clause 31 enabling the fee simple of land for settlement leasehold to be acquired at the present value, with a view to making the provjsions clearer Mr Laurenson said Parliament, by acquiescing m the proposal, would be committing ,a national crime. He pro! tested against such an iniquitous clalise. Roplymg to Mr Russell, the Hon Heroes said the freehold was not rt CrowntnX 6™^ *"*» °f sen MaSS6y inform«d Mr Rusw™ w the r^ aS J On why freehold. « i? 1 1 conceded to the renewable leaseholders on Crown lands was that toe whole of it was endowment land. oiL; that next year at other Bill would be introduced dealing with L.I.P. tenants on lands for settlement land. Finally, he strongly defended the freehold as the best f& tho settler and the best for tho country

Mr Witty contended that land let on leasehold belonged to the people tt! 1L?i nSTu r *£ further Questions-by Mr ■Russell, the Premier said there wa* cannot 0 i?£ rcasod v<4 ue which the State cannot take account of until the end of the term of the lease Mr Forbes contended that the men who fought for the leasehold were the best friends of the farmer because they had kept in the background the agitation for taxation of land values. Mr. Robertson contended that the Government's idea that peace and prosperity would be spread over the land by the carrying of the freehold proposals was quite erroneous. Mr.-MacDonald did not think advantage would be taken of the Government a freehold proposals. The House, after midnight, continued tho discussion in committee of clause t »> ?r nd BilL A new dause moved by Mr. Massey, providing that one-third °* tJie value of native land placed in tho hands of the Government for settlemen purposes may be advanced to nativo owners, was carried. Mr. Davey moved an amendment disqualifying successful competitors at a ballot from again taking -part therein —lost by 39 to 14.

Tho Bill was reported with amendments amid applause from both sides of the House.

The third reading has been postponed Thr* Houso then rose.