COMMONWEALTH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2554, 16 July 1909, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH POLITICS.

MR REID SPEAKS ON LAND MONOPOLY. ADVOCATES COMPULSORY RESUMPTION. United Punas Association —Coi'yuiout. MELBOURNE, July 14. Mr Reid, speaking in the censure debate, said the time had come when all big estates must be transformed into holdings with single families. The land tax was too slow. The process of resumption by the Government was a foolish policy. It was entirely too slow. Moreover, they sent up the value of tho land held by the State itself. Most large estates become largo by manipulation of the land policy of the country. He would like to see a Bill passed declaring their continuance contrary to public policy, that every one should be gradually resumed, and that if the owners do mot voluntarily divide them the State should do so. The Laborites enthusiastically cheered Mr Reid. JAWBONE OF AN ASS PRODUCED. COMMEMORATION OF MR WEBSTER’S SPEECH. Dr Wilson, a. member of the House of Representatives, producing the jawbone of an ass, gravely askecl permission to lay it on the table in commemoration of the record-making speech by Mr Webster oh the censure motion. The Speaker said such a question needed no answer. (Received July 16, 1.5 a.m.) \ MELBOURNE, July 15. Mr. Webster complained "in the House of Dr. Wilson’s production of tho jawbone of an ass as not only an insult to himself, but an insult to the House. He asked the Speaker to obtain an apology. Dr. Wilson expressed regret, saying that it had only been intended as a joke. The Opposition had been fighting the Government with various weapons. In using them bis friend was « regular. Sampson, so ho had to resort to one of his weapons. The Government hope to bring the, censure debate to an end to-morrow. There are some hints of the possibility of the application of the closure.