The Dunstan Times. Beneath the Rule of Men entirely just the pen is mightier than the sword FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1869.

Dunstan Times, Issue 373, 18 June 1869, Page 2

The Dunstan Times. Beneath the Rule of Men entirely just the pen is mightier than the sword FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1869.

The fact that the Government have resolved to despatch one of its members on a tour through the goldfields, for the purpose of ascertaining personally the wants of the people, and if possible to make such arrangements as will satisfy their reasonable requirements, is satisfactory on two points. I hj the first place, it is an evidence that the goldfields popula tion is not entirely ignored, and that some consideration is due to the claims of one of the most important industries which the province possesses. In the second place, we shall have the opportunity personally to point out and explain our grievances to one from whom redress is most likely to come, and, at the same time, have some definite opinion as to the probable amelioratian of many of the present difficulties under which we labor. Whoever the gentleman may be who is to honor us with his presence, he may rest fully assured of meeting with a most cordial, reception. .Nevethertheless, he must not calculate upon his mission being a mere pleasure trip, or that he has by any means undertaken an easy task. He must make up his mind to become a patient listener to such a string of complaints, especially upon the land question, as will probably unsettle his powers of perception for some considerable time to come. Public opinion is highly conflicting ns to the amount and quality of land suitable or required for occupation, whilst every one looks at the matter from a point of view in which personal advantage absorbs the whole interest of the picture. The evidence taken before the late select committee on hundreds fully illustrates this. We find that the testimony of witnesses examined shoots very wide of the mark, as upon the ques.ion of

I the available quantity of ground on Run No. 137, Tuapeka District' opinions ranging between five thousand and two hundred acres; The member of the goldfields whoso duty it will be to itinerate the goldfields as a pacificator of grievances or Provisional Father Confessor-in-Chief will therefore very soon discover that, in many places, Tuapeka especially, the question of the settlement of the people upon the lauds is quite a stock subject among a certain class of chronic grumblers, who grumble at everything, good, bad, and indifferent, and who would be at their wit’s end were there no land question to be settled, for upon what else could they expend their bilious energies 1 In a newly settled country the administration of the land laws is an unfailing source from which a little grievance may always be drawn, and it is likewise a fertile field from which to acquire political capital. There is no question about the desirability of settling the population upon the hinds in a bona-fide manner, and we are very pleased to find that the Government are desirous to afford every facility to persons inclined to do so ; but we should like to see equal facilities presented in each district, and not those who possess the greatest amount of political influence allowefd to eat up the oyster, leaving the shell to be digested by their less fortunate brethren. Besides Tuapeka there are many other places where population has settled itself down, who have neither land for cultivation or for commonage purposes, and where the grazing of a goat is only done on sufferance. Looking at home, we find that Cromwell and Alexandra collectively produce as much gold as Tuapeka, while their claims for a share of the benefits so liberally acceded elsewhere, have been entirely overlooked. This appears to be' about the case with all centres of mining industry which possess little or no political influence, or who are represented in the Provincial Council by members whose interest it is to preserve the country in its pristine simplicity of a sheep-walk. The facilities which we should have enjoyed; in Common with Tuapeka and the Lakes, for increasing our population, as well as adding largely to our general prosperity, by allowing those who wished to settle upon the lands to do so, have, for these very reasons alone, been withheld from us. It is greatly to be desired that the gentleman whose business it will he to inquire into the grievances of the goldfields will not allow his judgment to be biased by those who are the most clamorous, especially oh the land question; but that he will assist, as far as possible, in the distribution of equal advantages to all upon this very important and vital subject, With respect to other matters requiring to be redressed there is not much cause for complaint’ The administration of the business immediately connected with gold-mini ;g is upon the whole satisfactory. There may of course exiit difficulties respecting the distribution of officers, and some localities may have cause of complaint, in that facilities for the transaction of official business to which they believe themselves entitled are not afforded them, while other localities have more than is necessary. Those in the case of a visit from a member of the Government, and one unbiased by local prejudices, are easily remidied. We rely upon the promise of his Honor the Superintendent that, if possible, such arrangements will be made as will reosonahly meet the requirements of the goldfieldt population.