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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 77

The Government and the Land Question. — Appointment of the Land Commission. The Opposition Attitude

The Government and the Land Question.

Appointment of the Land Commission. The Opposition Attitude.

The following is an extract from Mr. Massey's speech in proposing amendments to the Premier's motion to set up a Land Commission last year:—

Mr. Massey (Franklin).—Sir, I wish to move the following amendment to the motion which has just been moved by the Right Hon. the Premier, and, in order that there may be no mistake, I propose to read it:—
"1.This House, as representing the people,—
"(a)Recognises the urgent necessity for reform in the land laws of the colony;
"(b)Asserts its competency to devise remedial measures without the delay which would be occasioned by the appointment of a Commission of inquiry; and
"(c)Is therefore of opinion that it should be afforded an opportunity during the present session of passing the necessary legislation.
page 8
"2.That, with a view to further encouraging and promoting settlement, giving more confidence to those occupying the lands, and removing causes of irritation, it is desirable—
"(a)That tenants occupying Crown lands under lease-in-per-petuity who have complied with reasonable conditions shall be allowed the option of converting their leaseholds into freeholds, with limitation of area, and that all moneys so received shall be used for the purchase of further land under the Land for Settlements Act.
"(b)That the conditions of occupation and residence shall be accommodated to the exigencies of pioneer settlement, and that the regulations governing the cultivation and management of land held under lease from the Crown shall be modified to suit climatic conditions and the characteristics of the soil.
"(c)That the principle of the homestead provisions of 'The Land Act, 1885,' shall be embodied in the Land Act.
"(d)That Parliament shall be given an early opportunity of deciding whether the constitution of Land Boards should be altered in the direction of securing the more effective representation of the views of Crown tenants."

Sir, we have had a most remarkable speech from the Right Hon. the Premier—probably as strong a speech as I shall be able to make in support of my amendment and against his own motion. His speech was the strongest indictment of the land policy of the Government that I have heard in this House during the last ten years. What did the honourable gentleman tell us? He told us that gambling is permitted in connection with the ballot, that the Land Hoards are not working satisfactorily, that the regulations are not working well, that the grouping is defective, and so on in the same strain. What does the right honourable gentleman propose by way of remedy? Talk, waste of time. He asks us for something tangible—I give it to him. I say that we know these grievances exist, and they ought to be remedied in this House, and this session. That is the difference between the right honourable gentleman and myself. . . . But I want to remind honourable members of this: that before forcing this question on the attention of the House—and I claim that I have forced it.—I waited for a reasonable time to allow the Government to introduce a Land Bill this session. They introduced a Land Bill last session; they introduced a Land Bill the previous session; and both measures were referred to the Lands Committee for consideration and report. The Committee reported to the House, but what followed? The Land Bills were dropped. There was no indication this session that the Government intended to introduce a Land Bill. They expected the House to be satisfied with this bald promise: that the Government were going to set up a Royal Commission to inquire into the land question. page 9 On this point I want to say that I am not satisfied, and a great many other members of the House are not satisfied, with the proposals of the Government. However, before I go on to discuss either the motion or the amendment, I desire to meet an argument which I know will be used later on in the debate, and that is that in moving this amendment we propose to do away with the leasehold system. We have no such intention. If settlers are satisfied with the leasehold, by all means let them have it. Nobody has any intention to interfere with those who prefer that form of tenure. Further, I wish to say that the leasehold system should be continued if only for the benefit of those new settlers with limited means who wish to go on the land, but I feel certain that in most cases, if the option were given, the leasehold system would simply be used as a stepping-stone to a securer form of tenure. And I say that the settlers should have that opportunity.

And here is the Hansard list of the members who voted against Mr. Massey's amendment, and declared that Crown tenants should not be allowed the option of the freehold, and that they did not feel competent to devise any remedial measures in connection with the land question, without the assistance of a Royal Commission—
  • Arnold
  • Barber
  • Baume
  • Bennet
  • Buddo
  • Carroll
  • Colvin
  • Davey
  • Duncan
  • Ell
  • Field
  • Fisher
  • Fowlds
  • Fraser, A. L. D.
  • Hall
  • Hall-Jones
  • Hanan
  • Heke
  • Houston
  • Jennings
  • Kidd
  • Laurenson
  • Major
  • McGowan
  • McKenzie, R.
  • McLachlan
  • Millar
  • Mills
  • Parata
  • Remington
  • Rutherford
  • Seddon
  • Sidey
  • Smith
  • Steward
  • Symes
  • Ward
  • Wilford
  • Willis
  • Witheford
  • Witty
  • Wood
  • Tellers
  • Flatman
  • Hogg
After the Commissions' Report.
Mr. Seddon's "Resolutions on Land Tenure and Settlement.Mr. Massey's Amendments.
1. That the present law permitting lease-in-perpetuity be repealed and that in respect to leasing land in the 'future there be substituted, in respect to rural lands, a lease for not less than 50 nor more than 99 years, with the1. That the present law permitting lease-in-perpetuity be repealed, and that in respect to leasing land in the future there be substituted in respect to rural lands, a lease for not less than 50 nor more than 99 years with thepage 10
right of renewal from time to time on revaluation for not less than 21 nor more than 50 years, or failing which tenants to have full compensation for improvements.right to purchase, and with the right of renewal from time to time on revaluation for not less than 21 years, nor more than 50 years, tenants to have full compensation for improvements, should they elect not to renew.
2. That in respect to lessees who now occupy under lease-in-perpetuity, and who have acquired land under "The Land Act, 1892," whether they are to have the right to acquire the freehold of their sections at the present market value?2. That lessees who now occupy under the lease-in-perpetu-ity, and who have acquired land under the "Land Act, 1892," shall have the right to acquire the freehold of their sections at the original value upon paymen of 1 per cent, difference between 4 per cent, and 5 per cent, plus compound interest on 1 per cent, from day of selection, or the said lessees may change the tenure to occupation with right of purchase upon similar terms.
3. That in respect to lessees who now occupy under the lease-in-perpetuity, and who have acquired lands under "The Land Act, 1892," whether they are to have the right to acquire the freehold of their sections at the capital value upon which they originally selected, and upon payment of 1 per cent, difference between 4 per cent, and 5 per cent., plus compound interest on 1 per cent, from day of selection, or may they said lessee change the tenure to occupation with right of purchase?3. That lessees under lease-in-perpetuity of lands acquired un-the "Lands for Settlement Acts" shall be allowed to acquire the freehold of their sections at the original value, the purchase money to be expended in the purchase of other lands for close settlement.
4. Shall lessees under lease-in-perpetuity of lands acquired under the "Lands for Settlement Act "be allowed to acquire the freehold of their sections? and, if so, shall they so acquire at the present market value or at the original value, and subject to the other conditions stated in resolutions Nos. 2 and 3 hereof?4. That each land district be divided into ridings, and a member residing therein and having local knowledge be appointed a member of the Land Board, and that the Crown tenants in each land district should have the right to elect at least one representative to each Board.page 11
If lessees allowed to purchase, the money to be expended in the purchase of other lands for close settlement.
5. That the present system of nominated Land Boards be adhered to, and that each land district be divided into ridings, and a member residing therein and having local knowledge be appointed a member of the Board, and that there should be at least one Crown tenant on each Land Board.

With the possible exception of No. 1, these are not resolutions at all, but vague questions. Mr. Seddon's attitude may be summed up in half a dozen words—" Yes-No, what shall we do?" No previous Premier of the Colony has ever put himself in such an undignified and ridiculous position. Mr. Massey promptly moved the following amendment:—

"The Government, having received the report of the Commission appointed to inquire into the best form of land tenure for the Colony, and having failed to formulate any land policy which will grant to the tenants of the Crown the right to acquire the freehold of their farms on equitable terms, by such failure forfeits the confidence of the House." Mr. Seddon refused to accept this as a no-confidence motion. Members were therefore not bound to vote with their party, and here is the Hansard division list of those who voted against the amendment. Some of them have declared themselves in favour of the freehold; but they, nevertheless, voted against a Bill being forthwith brought down to give effect to it.

  • Allen, E. G.
  • Arnold
  • Barber
  • Baume
  • Bennet
  • Buddo
  • Carroll
  • Colvin
  • Duncan
  • Ell
  • Field
  • Fraser, A. L. D.
  • Graham
  • Hall
  • Hall-Jones
  • Hanan
  • Heke
  • Hogg
  • Houston
  • Jennings
  • Laurenson
  • Lawry
  • Major
  • McGowan
  • McKenzie, R.
  • McNab
  • Mills
  • Parata
  • Pere
  • Remington
  • Rutherford
  • Seddon
  • Sidey
  • Smith
  • Steward
  • Symes
  • Tanner
  • Ward
  • Wilford
  • Willis
  • Witty
  • Wood
  • Tellers
  • Davey
  • Kidd
page 12

Once again Mr. Massey tried to get the Premier to take action. On September 27th, this year, he moved an amendment on the "Imprest Supply Bill," as follows:—"That the attitude of the Government in regard to the land question is not satisfactory to this House."

Speaking to the amendment he said:—"I think the majority of Members of this House will agree with me that it is very difficult to define the attitude of the Government have taken up on the land question during this session. .. I make this offer to the Right Hon. the Premier: If he will give the House his assurance that he intends to bring down this session a Land Bill providing that the option of acquiring the freehold shall be given to the holders of land under lease-in-perpetuity, and to proceed with it until it is placed on the Statute-book, I will withdraw my amendment."

But of course Mr. Seddon did not feel equal to accepting the offer, and here is the Hansard list of his followers who voted that the wholly incompetent "attitude" of the Government was perfectly satisfactory—to them, at any rate, if not to the county.

  • Arnold
  • Barber
  • Bennet
  • Buddo
  • Carroll
  • Colvin
  • Davey
  • Duncan
  • Ell
  • Fowlds
  • Fraser, A. L. D.
  • Hall
  • Hall-Jones
  • Hanan
  • Hogg
  • Houston
  • Kaihau
  • Lawry
  • Major
  • McGowan
  • McKenzie, R.
  • McNab
  • Miller
  • Mills
  • Parata
  • Pere
  • Rutherford
  • Seddon
  • Sidey
  • Smith
  • Steward
  • Tanner
  • Ward
  • Willis
  • Witty
  • Wood
  • Tellers
  • Flatman
  • Kidd
Paired against the amendment:—
  • Allen, E. G.
  • Heke
  • Laurenson
  • Wilford