THE LAND BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2218, 23 October 1907, Page 2

THE LAND BILL.

Special to Times. WELLINGTON, Oct. 22. Last night the House of Representatives commenced the third reading debate on the Land Bill but ■there was little animation in the proceedings. The House is tired physically and mentally and Monday sittings seem to make members duller than usual. In any case most ■people who frequent Parliament are absolutely tired of hearing discussions on the land question, especially when it is known that all the criticism must, in view of the Government’s majority,' be practically ineffective. When the Government •get the Land Bill out of the way the Endowment Bill may be looked for and Sir Joseph Ward will, it is understood, move its second reading in its present condition. Minus tlio schedule which was knocked out by the Lands Committee the Bill is a harmless measure. Tlfe Government may attempt to put in another schedule specifying the lands that are to ho taken for endowment purposes or they may agree to pass the measure without a schedule and take power to set aside the necessary lands by Order-in-Gouncil. No doubt there would be strong objection to this but if the Government say it is to be done no doubt it will bo done. A Parliamentarian on the Government side, who occupies a prominent position, assured me only the other day that the. Cabinet could get almost any legislation of a socialistic nature through the present House, including even a £20,000 clause for the Graduated Land Tax Bill. The attiude of the Opposition ■in regard to the Endowment Bill will depend upon what is proposed. No one can yet say definitely .when the session will end.

Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 22. Tlio Land Laws Amendment Bill was further considered to-day, the third reading being finally carried, and the Bill was passed.