The Land Act.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 425, 12 July 1905, Page 2

The Land Act.

Political Question Further

Worried.

"Wellington, Last Night. Mr Birth moved that the Government be urged to so amend the Land Act as to give Crown tenants the option of purchabing the freehold of their land at the original value, and the payment of the difference between the 4 per cent now charged on the lease in perpetuity and the 5 per cent charged to the tenants with the right to purchase. The mover said they simply asked to be> allowed to pay the capital Buni instead of continuing to pay interest. If they agreed to a revaluation they would be consenting to the robbery of the tenant*, and would be giving land nationalise™ the right to say they had no, right to the unearned increment of their own land. >

Mr McGregor (Southland) said the freeholders .were more likely to make good use of the land than leaseholders. The President said that if it was going to be left to the electors to decide the question of tenure, the Union would have to take a determined stand.

The motion was carried.

It was resolved that the payment of compensation for improvements made* by the Burface sowing of pastoral runs, under Government lease, be urged ; alto that all Government land put in the market in future be thrown open on the optional system.

Other resolutions passed were that the Land Act be amended so as to includt the old deferred payment system; that while affirming the principle of freehold the Conference is opposed to aggregation, and will support any reasonable legislation in this direction; that all ten&nts under the West Coast Settlements' Reserves Act be allowed the option to secure the freehold ; that the Conference condemns the .enforcement of ihe Residence clause in the case of Crown lessees till such time as mans of communication by way-of roada and bridges have been provided. Discussion took place en the question cf the Union's position in politics. Mr Burgess (Taranaki) Baid they should not be afraid to make a stand. He moved -hat the Union should take* strong political attitude and strenuouaJy oppose those ..candidates at the general election who are opposed to.itß platform and' support those candidates who will endorse it, irrespective'bf parties. Mr Wily (Auckland) said that unless they wert into politics properly they would be just as helpless as the country party had always been. ■--.••-..■■'' Mr Richards (Wellington) said: there were too mar>y-tcstrtnatchee.^ . The President said he could never agree that they should take'HdeB Vra party politics. They would lose their position by doing so. Mr Stubbs (Palmerston North) said the feeling in Manawatu was that ib» Union did not take sufficient stand in politics. They did not want a country or a farmers' party, but they wanted to indicate which was the better of two candidates. In the past they had been spineless; they only talked. Mr Hodgson (Taranaki) said that It they did not take a decided utand, •> deathblow would be struck at the Union in his province.

During further discussion the opinion, was expressed that the Provincial Eze> cutive should be given discretion. / An amendment was moved that say five leading questions should be adopted by the Colonial Executive to be asked of all candidates in writing, and that not more than three farther questions may be added by the Provincial Executive relating to mere local questions. On receiving the answers, tbe Provincial Executive shall recommend the candi* date who has given the moat satisfactory answers, such answers to be comutuuoated to each branch, which will feerecommended to use all means in it* power for the return of such candidate. The' debato was adjourned till tho following dtty.