The Land Bill.

Dr. Findlay introduced the subject of the Land Bill by saying that he wished his hearers to see what kind of Socialism underlay the Land Bill. The paramount purposes of the Land Bill were: First, and most important, the proposals for the limitation of present and future estates, because that spelt closer settlement, and closer settlement was the great idea to which this or any other Government in this country should aim;, and second, some reservation by way of endowment for the future claims of old age pensions, hospital aid, and education. He would say a word about these endowments. If they believed that endowments should be established for the purpose of protecting the claims, which were increasing in extent, on the funds for the purpose mentioned—if they agreed that the time had arrived for the establishment of endowments, there need be, no trouble in regard to unsold Crown lands over the question of freehold or leasehold. If we were to have endowments we could not have them and sell them too. The Bill's opponents had to say that not only should the sale of Crown lands continue, but also that no endowments should be established. It was for his hearers to say, as electors, how far they agreed with that state of things. Was not the first great duty of a just Government to run the country and its page 10 assets—the people's inheritance—not in the interests of a class, no matter how large or powerful, but in the interests of the whole people, fairly and equitably.—(Hear, hear.) The second great duty of a just Government was to remember the future, to set the interests of the rising and coming generations against the selfish and pressing needs of the hour. The best polity in the long run was the best policy of all. A policy which served the day or a section of the people was not the policy a true states-man would adopt. We must look at these things from a