The Acquisition of Land Bill was read a second time
in the House of Commons on Thursday week. Mr. Leslie Scott criti- cized it as a " tinkering " Bill, which still left the law relating to land purchase in a very unsatisfactory condition. Many speakers objected to the State buying land at present prices, which were inflated and could not last. It was suggested that compulsory leases, the terms of which could be revised hereafter, might be tried as a substitute for purchase outright, and the Attorney-General promised to consider the suggestion. The House, however, seemed to agree that the Bill was a good one so far as it went, and that the simpler and less expensive pro- cedure which it authorized would enable the State and the Local Authorities to acquire land much more easily than before. When the Opposition challenged a division, only 17 votes were given against the Bill.
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