THE LAND QUESTION.

Dunstan Times, Issue 432, 29 July 1870, Page 3

THE LAND QUESTION.

PUBLIC MEETING AT ALEXANDRA A public meeting was held in Ryan’s Bendigo Hotel, on Monday Evening last, the 25th of July, on the Land Question' About fifty persona were present, among whom were noticeable the principal land holders in the District. Mr. R. Finlay, J. P., and Mayor, who occupied the chair said.—The object of the meeting, so far as he could understand, was to memorialize the House of Representatives to amend the existing laws relating to the Waste Lamis of the Province, whereby a more liberal distribution of the lauds could be secured, and that the moneys paid under the existing laws as rent should go towards the purchase-money. He would call on Mr. Chappie to further explain. Mr. Chappie rose and said: Meetings having the same object in view as stated by the chairman had been held at Waitahuna and Lawrence, and it was in order to support the course pursued by them that he had requested Mr. to convene the present meeting. He might say he had fallen into the views as expressed, and he trusted a unanimous expression of opinion in the same direction would be given by those present. The existing Land Laws were behind the times and required material alterations, and he thought the day had arrived when the land should be offered to the people on such terms as would induce them to take it up. By the system of surveying the land in blocks, good and bail indiscriminately, the rent on that portion which was good was oppressive and forbade the ultimate intention of purchasing. He must admit the Land Laws from time to time ban been favorably amended, but still further concessions were demanded. At the Taeri and Tokomairo, where the land is of the best description, the price was from 10s. to 20s. per acre, and it was unreasonable to demand a higher price for inferior laud on the Gold Fields. Ho would propose. That, in the opinion of this meeting, all moneys paid by the Agricultural Lease holders on the Gold Fields in the form of rent should go towards the purchase money of the land. Seconder jby Mr. Webb. Mr. Theyelfs said the question before the meeting was the settling of the people on the land. The comparing of land between here and Taieri and Tokomairiro was irrelevant. An inducement to take up land should be held out by Government, and the greatest would he the system of deferred payments. There was no question but if that system was adopted the prosperity of the country would be certain. Messrs. Sampson, Iversen, and others spoke, when the motion was put to the meeting and carried.

Mr. M'Donough said that with the previous speeches he entirely agreed. Under she presnet system o Jsurveying in most intances the one half of the land was of no use, consequently the holders paid very dearly for that portion available for the plough. He would move, that a memorial be drawn up, praying the Assembly to pass a law to give the first resolution effect, and to point out in said memorial that the lauds thrown open under the .agricultural lease Regulations is mostly of an inferior quality; also that, in most cases, the land as surveyed into sections only about one half of said section is fit for agricultural purposes. Seconded by Mr. Crossan and carried. Mr. Theyerssaid if the resolutions passed were acted on by the Government, the means of settling on the land would be within reach of everyone, and many would take advantages who now are deterred. He would propose. That a committee of five be appointed to draw up a memorial to the Assembly in accordance wi'h the resolution passed by this meeting, get signatures and; and forward same to Mr. Mervyn, member for this District, fob presentation. Seconded by Mr. Butler, and carried. The following gentlemen were appointed a Committee;— Messrs Finlay, Theyers, Samson, Webb, and M'Donough, after which the meeting separated with a vote of thanks to the chair.