THE GOVERNMENT'S LAND POLICY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 539, 21 June 1909, Page 4

THE GOVERNMENT'S LAND POLICY.

Sir,—ln the attempt to justify tho Ministerial land policy,- the Prime Minister loudly proclaims the successful result of tikis year's administration. During 1908 ho stated .that tho Government had 405,430 acres under survey,', also 263,000 acres of Native lands, all of which'would shortly be thrown open for selection. It is little use the' Prime Minister telling ua what ho has in. stock.- What the public wants-, to know is, is. it available for selection,, and: if not, why so? We are-told tho Government, has purchased highly improved lands, 'at a cost of £73,000,. and the Minister admits at excessive values. These lands constitute the greater part of the lands taken up by settlers during 1908, and this is termed a lands for settlement policy. There are in the North Island fully fifteen million pounds' worth of waste or communal .Native lantls, and probably unoccupied Crown lands to tho value of a further fivo million pounds. What would we say of the wholesale manufacturer who, having-at hand unlimited sup; plies of raw material, plant, and labour,' with every facility to enable him to produce goods in - unlimited quantities -at ; a minimum cost,' failing to take advantage of those circumstances, ..anoVfor no oonoeivablo reason, went on importing goods on a cash basis,at fourfold cost, to. distribute, amongst bis. customers ? Would this ,bo considered good business ? Would it-improve.labour enditioris or increase tho general- wealth. of the coinniunity,? - 'By the initiation of a policy, of State resumption of Native lands for settlement purposes, tho Dominion would receive such an impetus that the fat years of the past would be soon forgotten in the cycle of unparalleled prosperity that would speedily appear. The amount of dormant wealth that hes in these waste lands is beyond calculation, and w-ith an.equitable system of State'trust adininiV tration.tho settlement of these hinds would soon solve tho question of finance, defence, emigration, and many' of the other problems that are perplexing, our Prime Minister, whilst 'at the same time rescuing the Natives from the degraded life of abject poverty that the majority are forced to live. A vigorous freehold settlement of unoccupied lands wo' must and will have, despite the strenuous efforts of the Oa-binoVto tho,contrary.—- lam, ,-. -J .- ■'V.-'-,. ' -;'";, -PATRIOT. 1 ' :;■' June.l 2. ..:-'.. :-■