Mr Bastings thought the country was to be- congratulated upon the ex tension of the deferred payment system, which, as exemplified in Otago, was an unqualified success. £3 17s 6d to £4 per acre was realised in Otago for land upon the competition induced by part ing with it on deferred payments, while not more than 31s was realised by its sale in large blocks to capitalists. Mr Thomson said as there were doubts as to whether the Government had any right to sit on the Treasury Benches, the debate on the second reading of the Bill should be adjourned. The hon. gentleman took objection to several details of the Bill.
Mr De Latour thought the Bill might be well postponed another year, and in the meantime referred to the Waste Lands Boards. In order to test the question he would move that the Bill be read that day six months.
