House of Representatives.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11645, 24 August 1905, Page 2

House of Representatives.

The House met at 2.30. MISCELLANEOUS.

Sir J. G. Ward gave notice to introduce the Fisheries Conservation Act Amendment Bill.

The Offensive Publications Bill (McGowan) was read a first time. Four days' leave of absence was granted to Mr Fowlds on account of urgent private business.

Sir J. G. Ward gave notice to' move to set up a Select Committee to consider the Animals Protection Bill.

Mr Seddou gave notice to introduce the Education Eosor-res Bill. LAND COMMISSIONER'S RECOMMENDATIONS.

MOTION BY THE PREMIER.

Mr Seddon gave notice to move that this House resolve itself into a Committee of the whole to deal with the report of the Royal .Commission on Lands and to consider aud determine the following and other matters, so that a Bill may bo introduced this Session: —

1. That the present law permitting lease in perpetuity be repealed and that iv respect to leasing land in the future there be substituted in respect to rural lands a lease for not less than fifty or more than 99 years with the right of renewal from time to time on revaluation for not less than 21 years or more than 50 years, or, failing which, tenants to have full compensation for improvements, (a) occupation with right, of purchase, (b) the present system of purchase for cash, (c) and the other existing tenures to continue, viz., village settlements, special settlement associations, ' improved farm settlements, occupation leases under "the Mining Districts Land Occupation Act, 1894," small grazing: runs, and in respect to small grazing runs of ' Crown, lands -as provided in the LanS Act, 1885. Further, it be a condition that in the future all Crown lauds should be thrown open subject to optional system to lease, occupation with the right of purchase, purchase on cash payment, irrespective of whether the Crowu land contains minerals or not. That in parting with land the State to retain all mineral rights. 2. That in respect to lessees who now occupy under the lease in perpetuity and who have acquired landholder the Land Act, 1892, whether- they are to have the right to acquire the freehold of their sectio at the present market value.

(3) That in respect to lessees who now occupy under lease in. perpetuity and who have acquired lands imder the Land Act, 1892, whether they axe to have the right to acquire the freehold of their sections at the capital value upon which they origiually selected and upon the payment of 10 per cent difference, between 4 per cent, and 5 per cent, plus compound interest on 1 per cent, from the day of selection, or may the said lessee change, the tenure to occupation with the right of purchase. (<t) Shall lessees under the lease in perpetuity of land acquired under "The Land for Settlements Act" be allowed to acquire the freehold of their sections, and if so shall they so acquire at the present market value or at the original value and subject to the other conditions stated in resolutions Nos. 2 and 3 hereof, and if lessees be allowed to pxirchase the money to be expended in the purchase of other lands for close settlement.

(5) That all lessees under the right of purchase option or lessees under lease in perpetuity be permitted after ten years' occupation and fulfilment of conditions to pay off auy moiety of the capital value of their lands in sum's of .£lO or any multiple of .£lO upon the first day of January and the first day of July in each year during the currency of the said purchasing clause or leases, the rentals being proportionately reduced.

(6) That should the right to acquire the freehold be granted to lessees under the leaae iv perpetuity either under the Land Act, 1892, or the Land for Settlement Act, then in such case' the sections and the areas at present held by them shall remain as at present, and that no alteration of boundaries, unless it be for cutting up into small areas, shall be made unless done by an Act of Parliament passed specially in their behalf; that all times the owner or a lessee of the owner shall reside on the said section and comply with the residential conditions as provided under the existing lease in perpetuity and it shall be unlawful for the Registrar of Deeds to register any transfer that contravenes this express condition, or, if done, the title thereto shall be invalidated.

(7) That in the case of Crown lands the capital value of which does not exceed .£1 per acre, the same to be dealt with under conditions that previously existed and which were known as the homestead system. 8. That native lands be classified the same as Crown lands; that greater facilities be granted for individualising the titles and exchange as between native owners of land, and that the Land for Settlements Act be applied to surplus land owned by natives, and that the native land, like Crown land, be leased for 50 years with the right of renewal from time to time on re-valuation for not less than 21 ,years or more than 50 years; and the law generally in respect to leasing native -.lands beamended by extending the period' for leasing from 21 to 50 years, and that monetary assistance be granted to natives to enable them to go on their lands, and every effort be made to settle natives on their lands. 9. It shall be unlawful for any person ov corporation or company holding 5000 acres of first-class rural land, or 10,000 acres of second-class rural land, to purchase and acquire the fee simple of any more land or to increase the areas owned; if any land in excess, of the areas herein limited shall fall in by way of mortgage or by will the same may be held for five years ; if not disposed of by that time the State ' to have the right to acquire the land at the land t;ax value of such lands, plus 10 per cent. It shall be unlawful for the Registrar of Deeds to register any trahsferof- -lands «'to personsf-corporations, or companies dwning at the time such j transfer is sought lands to the extent of 1 the areas hereinbefore mentioned, aud if

transferred the title thereto shall be invalided.

10. It shall be unlawful for any persons or corporation, individual, or company owning urban or suburban lands to the unimproved value of ,£50,000 to purchase and acquire the fee simple of any more lands. If any land fall in by Avay of mortgage or by will the same may be held for five years. If after that time the same be not disposed of the State may acquire the said land at the then land tax value. It shall be unlawful for the Registrar of Deeds to register any transfer to any person, corporation, or company owning land to the value' hereinbefore stated, and if done the title thereto shall be invalidated.

11. That the present system of nominated land boards be adhered' to. and that each land district bo divided into s ridings and a member residing therein and having local knowledge be. appointed a member of the Board, and that .there should be at least one Crown tenant on . tfach land board. , 12. Cropping restrictions to, be relaxed and land boards should. Have' statutory power to relax cropping 1 conditions 'whereever necessary, and' that for over cropping, in lieu of forfeiture, land boards" to have power to. impose a fine. ' i ' 13. That residence bo continuous for six years under any tenure,' 'including' land sold for cash; no residential condition to be enforced until ' reasonable road - access has been provided. 14. That the. present ballot system being the fairest mode of determining who shall become the- owner when there is more tha-n one applicant, the present system of grouping shall be continued, and the second ballot shall be maintained, and the grouping of sections with the -means required for the successful occupation be sub-divided; that a ballot should be taken i for the first choice of any section of the groups; that married men with families shall have preference; and that persons who have in their own right been tenants of the Crown or who, parted with the freehold of lands held by them shall be ineligible for ballot for "three years. 15. That in respect to tenants occupying pastoral runs tenure -for -at least 21 years should be favourably considered, and that a liberal construction as to improvements be conceded, and that at intervals during each year some portion of the run should be kept free from stock so as to allow the native grass to recover, and in respect to lessees of small grazing runs at Cheviot they be placed on the same footing as tenants on Crown lands • holding .similar tenures.

In reply to Mr Massey, Mr Seddon said he hoped to be able to start the debate on the motion on Tuesday next.

QUESTIONS.

In reply to questions Ministers stated that the usual number of "Sncddon" vouchers was printed for Parliament, and no instructions have been given to print any more. That the Assistant Chief Health Officer knows nothing of the Normal drink cure; from time to time a sensation is caused by such cures, but on inquiry they usually prove without foundation; he will make special inquiries with regard to the Nomyl treatment, but nothing has appeared in the medical papers, which is in itself an indication that it has not engaged the serious attention of the profession. That as soon as the house to house visit is finished the printing of all the electoral rolls throughout the colony will be commenced. That Mr Kaihau, M.H.R., has requested that his re-appointment to the Waikato Land Council be cancelled, and his request will be given effect to. That every possible step is being adopted with a view to minimising the evil of sly grog selling in Ashburton. That the Gaming and Lotteries Bill will be proceeded -with if it is not blocked by the mass of other business now before the House. That the railway rates on firewood are quite unremunerative and they cannot be further reduced; the excessive prices charged by those ' engaged in the firewood ' trade, apart altogether from the railway freight, are a greater bar to the industry ■ than any charges levied by the railway. The remainder of the afternoon was occupied in- discussing the replies given by members to questions. The House rose at 5.30.

PROGRESS OF BILLS. The House resumed at 7.30. The Mining Acts Amendment Bill (McGowan) was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee.

The Animals Protection Bill (Ward) was read &■ second time pro forma 'and referred ,to a Select Committee.

The Trades Monopolies Prevention Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Industries and Commerce Committee.

THE ELECTORAL BILL. The House went into Committee on the Electoral Bill. The interpretation clause was postponed. At clause 5, dealing with the periodical readjiistment of electoral boundaries, Mr Massey asked the Governnieat«.;whether it was proposed to make any change in the method of readjusting the boundaries after the next census. There was great dissatisfaction last time because conjmitnity of interest had not been considered by the Boundary Commissioners* -s', Sir Joseph Ward said the House seemed to think tliat a change was desirable, and he .agreed with, that opinion. He would give the matter very serious consideration and would give the House ianiple time to consider any proposed alterations in the system after the next census was taken. He agreed that the present • position was very unsatisfactory, but he 'could not do anything below that. He would also give consideration to the question of extending the time for taking the census from five to. ten years. The clause was agreed to.

At clause 6, which defines rural and urban population, Mr Ell moved an amendment to widen the -definition of urban population by making it apply to the people within the area within five miles of the chief post- office at Napier, Wanganui, Timaru, and" Invercargill, as jftell as the cities of Auckland, Christchxßh, Duncdh), and Wellington/ - v- " " At the sub-section of the clause which provides that after each census the colony shall be divided into electorates.

Mr Duthie moved an amendment to provide that the census of the colony shall be taken every ten years instead of every five years. Mr Ell's amendment was negatived by 43 to 17

Mr Duthie then altered his amendment to provide that "the division of the colony into electoral districts shall be made after every alternative census instead of after every census. Mr Duthie's amendment was rejected by 47 to 17, and clause 6 was agreed to without alteration.

At clause 26, "adult qualification," Mr L. D. Fraser urged that the Maoris should be given an opportunity of registering on the European roll, and he moved an amendment to that effect.

Sir J. G. Ward pointed out that Mr Eraser's proposals, if given effect to, would mean a tremendous alteration in the constitution of the colony. It would mean that the four Maori members would continue to represent perhaps only one-third of the Maori votes in New Zealand. The other two-thirds would probably J>e on the European rolls, and a proposal of this kind; 'should be embodied in a separate measure. » Mr Massey believed the time had arrived, when special Maori representation should be abolished, but this amendment would not have the effect aimed at. If a straight-out issue could be had he would vote with Mr Fraser. • . - After considerable discussion, Mr Fraser's amendment was lost on the voices, and the clause was agreed to.

WELLINGTON, August 24. After the Telegraph Office closed, at clause 79 of the .Electoral /Bill, progress ■was reported without any material amendment having been made in the Bill. The Hou3e rose at 1 a.m.