It is quite true that these amendments look rather formidable by reason of the number of clauses but, in fact, they are largely of a drafting nature. Apart from the question of the issue of new bonds in cases where bonds have not already been issued to provide for the additional payments necessary, or the provision of bonus bonds in cases where the bonds have already been issued, it is not considered desirable to have two separate series of bonds dealing with a particular transaction; we have to have the bonds all of one series, if possible. That is the design of the amendments dealing with the land bonds.
Another portion of the Bill deals with technical matters which undoubtedly have been amplified in my amendments. The substance of them is simply to make the clauses in the existing Land Acts, which are applicable in the case of untenanted or acquired land in regard to the different stages of acquisition—the vesting in the Land Commission and the charging of rights against the price — also applicable to resumption cases. The law adviser of the Department believes it is necessary; it is not that the problem has arisen in court or that a certain procedure has not been followed based on what we believe to have been the intention generally in the Land Acts, but we think that it should be made clear specifically that the same procedure which has been followed over a period of years and which it was clearly the intention of the Legislatureshould be followed with regard to taxation cases, should hold also in regard to resumption. When we come to the particular amendments, I shall try to explain as well as I can, if there are any difficulties the Deputy has in following the amendments which I have put down.
It would be quite impossible for me to introduce a Bill which would avoid these cross references. Besides, the whole position of land purchase is in question at the moment until we get this Bill through. The issue of bonds for land purchase transactions is held up. So it is really an urgent matter. Therefore, I would ask the Deputy to be kind enough, in view of what I have said, to facilitate the speedy passage of the Bill.