The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1881.

Dunstan Times, Issue 985, 4 March 1881, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1881.

Beneafli the rule of men KNTinKLTJUBT«7i pen i« Mionwtß than MeawoßD

Public attention is at last being seriously directed to the necessity of impressing on the governing powers th« dmirability of reducing the a>en of the sheep-runs in the interior districts of Otago. Rather, let us say, of converting thrm into grazing farms on the deferred payment system, and thereby increasing the sett eil population, and developing in a latver degree the great resources of th** country, Not a day too soon has this question been taken up, for the greater proportion of the present i-quat.ting leases must bo finally dealt with during the present year. It is therefore that we observe with pleasure the fact of a meeting to di-cii-s lire matter having been held at Cromw dl. Not that, we uufici pate any result theiefrom, so far as the vague lesnlution adopted by (he meeting is I’kely to i flaei ce the W-sle 1 and Hoard. We can qui'e understand the supercilious reeep>ion which a blunt request “that the runs bo not released ” is dkely to meet with. The tone of the, promoters of the meeting was pitched in a wro g key, and the element of locality was too conspicuous to warrant any hope of success. No move meat was »ver yet successful whist its aims w re narrowed d ova to (he ■promotion of the exc usive benefit of any place apart from that ot the community at large. Mr M‘K>llar, of all the speakers, was the only one who struck the right cord when he said—“ Any action taken should be general.” No one town can afford to run alone. Tt is not Groin wed nor * Hyde n<>r Alexandra that we are more immediately concerned for. It is the country at large—a phrase which embraces each and all of hese. For every little centre to plot for its own interest reg miles, of its neigh bnis is to weaken the argument, and lessen the prosject of obtaining die desired result. There is but one proper course—namely, the format on of a league, having for its object the reform of the a'!ministration of the law, by" insisting upon the leased lauds being d<a!t with as the leases fall in, in a spirit more coni|)ati "1c with progress and settlement than has hitherto been displayed. In such a league not only Vincent Comity, but also Maniutoto, Tnapi ka, and Lake Counties would heartily join a d their united forces wool 1 compel attention to their demands, Kucu a league we Inpe to see formed, and as a preliminary th-m to meetings should l.e hefd ■throughout this County, and invitations sent to the others to co-operate. We are p'eised to see that the member f»r the district is alive to the,importance of the subject, as his letter in another column evinces, and we are content in the meantime to accept his counsel to “ be patient.'’