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Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2677, 6 December 1909, Page 4

THE LAND BILL

It is now abundantly evident that the Government is in for troublous times with its new Land Bill. The leaseholders, led by that great fighter, Mr. T. E. Taylor, are evidently determined to leave no stone unturned to block the measure, and it is apparent that Sir Joseph Ward will be quite unable to carry the Bill without the assistance of the Opposition. For a Government to have to invoke the aid of the recognised Opposition to carry its chief policy measure is a situation quite exceptional, and probably unprecedented in the annals of New Zealand Parliaments. However, it is more than likely that Mr. Massey and his supporters will vote with the Government on the present occasion, for the Opposition leader places the interests of settlers and the principles he has long fought for above any considerations of party. With this assistance the Government can afford to listen unmoved to the .protests of the leaseholders, for at every division its majority will be very substantial. At the same time it is extremely galling for the Prime Minister to have to listen to the taunts-of the leaseholders on the one hand and of liis temporary allies, the Opposition, on the other. Mr. Taylor declares that the Land Bill abolishes political party distinctions, and scathingly denounces Messrs Millar and Fowlds, avowed leaseholders, for their present silence, whilst Mr. Massey reminds Sir Joseph that this is not the first time he has been driven by the Opposition. Believing as we do that the welfare of the Dominion is largely bound up with the effective settlement of the land, and that this can be best secured by giving settlers the option of acquiring the titles of their holdings, we welcome the present Bill, and trust it will find a place on the Statute Book. At the same time it must be recognised that its fate is critical. The leaseholders cannot make much headway when the division bell rings, but they can, by stonewalling tactics, waste so much time that the Ministerialists may tire of the struggle and postpone the measure till some more convenient season. This is not probable, but with a Ministry that has its ears constantly on the ground to catch every wave of popular feeling, and a Parliament that is more confcerned about the Christmas holidays .than the business of the country, all things are possible.