The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1887. VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1580, 9 June 1887, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1887. VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

Were it not for the fact that every effort is being put forth by the Opposition to make political capital m view of the forthcoming elections, it would be difficult to understand the fierceness of the onslaught which has been made on the Government, and upon Mr Ballance m particular, m connection jy^L-ll 1^ 3?!*U a g e . -S^ttlemeni scheme. 'Notwithstanding that there is abundant evidence that a large number of persons have been afforded the opportunity of establishing homes tor themselves, and that they have gladly accepted that opportunity, with every prospect of success j that m Auckland, especially, the unemployed difficulty has almost entirely disappeared, and that the cost of charitable aid has been consequently correspondingly reduced — notwithtanding all this, and much more that might be said and has been said m favor of the scheme, it has been denounced with a vigor which can only be accounted • for by political antipathy towards the Government and all their works. As to what has been accomplished, the facts will speak for themselves, a return laid upon the table of the House showing that of 2216 sections proclaimed as open for application no less than 1186 have been taken up ; m other words, that nearly 1200 lamiles have been settled upon the soil. Even if the halt oi that number are permanently established m comfortable circumstances Mr Ballance will have scored a success greater than has ever before been achieved within the same sp?ce of time. But it is said the greatest charge against the Government is that m carrying out the scheme the Minister has gone far beyond the ruhority of Parliament, and that havhg obtained last session a vote for £5000 he has spent and commuted the country to a further expenditure of No doubt the actual expenditure is m excess of the vote by but surely that is not so remarkable an amount of unauthorised expenditure on such an object as to call for the consideration of the House. As to the committment, amounting to as stated, the House cannot complain that this amount has been incurred without its sanction, inasmuch as the sum referred to represents the total of the possible advances of. interest under ! the regulations. for Village Settlements which were before Parliament at the time the £5000 vote was taken. Parliament must, therefore, be held to have known what it was doing m sanctioning the scheme last year, and it is most unjust now to blame the Governi ment for the necessary consequences of the action then taken. This charge of exceeding the authority given, to an enormous extent, is, therefore, we contend, simply not true; but even were it true, it is singularly inconsistent on the part of Major Atkinson that he should be foremost m condemnation, for it was pointed out by Mr Dargaville the other evening that that gentleman, when m office, exceeded the votes of the House for rails and rolling stock by no less a sum than A more remarkable exemplification of the proverbial folly of those who dwell m glass houses indulging m the practice of throwing stones it is impossible to imagine.

Wells' Hair B/lsma.— lf gray, restores" original color. An elegant dressing, softens end beautifies. No oil nor grease. A tonic restorative. Stops hair coming out; strengthens, cleanses, heals scalp. '" jkuobu-Paiiu."— Quick, complete cure, al annoying kidney, bladder, and urinary diseases. At chemists and druggists. Kempthorne, osser and Co., Agents, Christohurch Keaiinq's Cough Lozenges cures ooughs Bthma, BronoLUis. medical testimony states that no other medicine is so effectual m. the cure of these dangerous maladies. One Lozenge alone give ease, one or twv at bedtime ensures rest. For relieving diflioulty of breathing they are invaluable. They contain no opium nor any violent drug. Bold by aU Qfeeroißts, n Tine, Is isd, aud $ 3d eaoh