The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4096, 12 April 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1876.

Wb are not given to putting much faith in general rumors, especially when they relate to the doings of men in public positions. We by no means expect to find them perfect, for, consciously or unconsciously, they are swayed by party spirit and sometimes by personal prejudices, but as a rule they fulfil their duties to the best of their judgment, although sometimes their judgment would be all the sounder were they gifted with clearer special knowledge. This is peculiarly the case in all matters Coming under the head of politics. Representative men too often feel themselves constrained to carry out the notions of their party, in opposition even to their own convictions. They have committed themselves to the fortunes of their friends—have identified themselves with their principles, and have not the courage to separate from them, although to all impartial judgments their measures tend to confusion. If report be true the Province, as a Province, is in what is popularly called a “mess.” It is said that contracts have been taken with no means of paying for the works, that contractors are applying in vain for money due to them, and that there is widely-spread and widely-spreading dissatisfaction. Rumor will insist upon it that these difficulties have led to the contemplation of the old resort for raising the wind, of selling large blocks of land to capitalists—like other prodigals, parting with the fee-simple of large sections of the Provincial estate. We think it highly probable that there would be no hesitation to adopt such a course, if no difficulties intervene. We have no doubt that those who sanctioned the Island Block and the fifty thousand acre sales to Mr Clarke, as well as some minor fifteen or twenty thousand acre blocks, to get out of a self-invited difficulty, and who happen just now to be in power, will repeat the experiment if they can, and try to throw the blame of their conduct upon the General Government; but, to use the words of a shrewd politician, “if the people stand it this time they deserve to be trodden on.” We think so too. In view of the abuses of their power by the Provincial Government, in sacrificing the land for mere party purposes at that time, we advocated the appointment of a nonpolitical Waste Lands Board, in the hope that being uninfluenced by party considerations they would not consent to have onr landed estate confiscated and passed out of the control of the people to enrich a few already wealthy men. Since the non-political Board was appointed the land laws of the Province have been more impartially administered, and on more uniform principles. There have been occasions on which complaints have been made, but on the whole there has been little reason to find fault. In reference to present difficulties we have heard the names mentioned of squatters with whom it is said negottiaions have been opened up for the purchase of their runs. On the principle that it is quite soon enough to believe reports when their truthfulness has become more than probable, we forbear to mention names. If there be any foundation for what is said, they are precisely the men who would be likely to be applied to, and perhaps they are as little to be objected to personally, as purchasers, as any that could be selected. But it is hard to believe that, even, under present circumstances, anattempt of that character will be made. The excuse may be put forth that our land fund is likely to be made general revenue, and therefore it is wise for us to secure the money and use it. Were this true, parting with land in largo areas and thus dooming Otago to a perpetual desert peopled by sheep farmers only, is a most suicidal policy. The plan of the General Government is to localise the land fund so that the proceeds of the sales may be spent in the district in which the alienated land is situated. The policy of the Provincial Executive, if permitted to be carried out, is to obtain money for land sold in one place and to spend it on improvements in another. The wild appropriations of last session are now bearing their fruit, and will form a theme for condemnation of Provincialism that will be eagerly laid bold of by the representatives of every electoral district outside of Otago. The effect, so far from strengthening Provincialism must tend to its utter overthrow. In the meantime, our safety lies in our Waste Land Board, who, by the 42nd clause of the Otago Waste Lands Act, may, “if it shall by the Board be deemed prejudieial to the public interest to grant the application either as to the whole or to any part of the land applied for,” refuse to grant the application, “either as to the whole or as to part of the land.” We have every confidence that the Board will not be over-ruled by the Executive, nor led to sanction ’monster sales of land to relieve the Government from difficulties so recklessly rushed into.