POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3121, 16 July 1892, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(HY TELKURAI'H—Si'KUIAL UOIUtKSI'ON'nKNT). VVkllington, Lint Night. THE LAND BILL.

The lato Minister for Land (tl-.e Hon. G. I<\ Richardson) intends to move some important amendments in the Land Bill brought down by the present Minister. He will inovc to strike nut all clauses relating t'i "occupation with right to purchase" (which in the Government Bill ttkes the place of the deferred payment system), and substitute a " lease purchase system with 5 per cent, rental, 30 years' term of residence and improvements condition, and the right of acquiring the treehold at any time on fulfilment of the conditions, with the additional right of, from time to tnrio at the occupier's option, paying up a portion of the capital amount, and bo reducing the rent. Mr Richardson considers that this would be practically the present perpetual leaso system, with the best feature of the deferred payment system added, and improved oy being made optional instead of compulsory. The only allusion to the carrying capacity of pastoral lands in the Bill is in section 185, which limits any one run offered at auction to a carrying capacity of 20,000 sheep all the year round. Mr Richardson proposes to amend section 191 which debars any person or company from holding more than one run, irrespective of carrying capacity or area, by altering the limit from " one run," to the maximum of carrying capacity defined in Clause 185. If the Government conseut to these two alterations there would bo very little opposition to the Bill. A POPULAR MEMBER. Mr Bruce, the newly-elected member for Rangitikei received quite an ovation from both sides of tho House last night on taking his seat. As the House was in committee, the new member could not be sworn in till tho Speaker was in the chair, but Mr Bruce was warmly cheered upon making his re-entry into the House, first by the Opposition and afterwards by the Ministerialists, some of whom walked across the chamber and heartily shook Mr Bruce's hand. His victory over Mr Stevens is a highly popular one. LATK HOURS. A determined etfort is about to be made by the Opposition to induce the Government to adjourn the House earlier than is the case at present, as the lute hours are already beginning to be felt by members. The Opposition intend moving a resolution to adjourn the House every night not later than half-past 12 o'clock, and as many of the Government supportars are likely to v->te for it, the proposal stands a good chance of being agreed to.