The Laud Sales

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 62, 22 November 1888, Page 2

The Laud Sales

Under the heading of " Dissatisfaction" the Wanganui Herald says: — The feeling on the subject of the administration of the land is expressing itself in a very distinct form. The land is being so disposed of tbat the most knowing ones have all the chances in their favor. The ballot is so administered that the speculator, assisted by dummies, has the power of securing the best sections, which he holds for a rise, or disposes of immediately at a profit. There is no publicity given to the sales, and this again tends to maintain the speculator as against the bonajide settler. The Department is indifferent to remonstrance, and be-

lieves in having as little trouble as possible. The result of this system of administration is that while a considerable area of laud ifa taken up, and the statutory improvements made there is but little genuine settlement going on* * * Yet the opportunity for carrying on genuine settlement on the lands of the Crowu was never so favorable as it is at this moment, in consequence of the high prices of produce. There is an eagerness for land which we have not seen for ten years, but no attempt is made to supply the demand. How long will such a policy continue ?" The sentence we have put in italics contains a clear and distinct charge which the authorities ought to take steps to refute, because there is not one man in ten in this district who does not believe in its truth.