The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1891. The Government Land Policy

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 147, 4 June 1891, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1891. The Government Land Policy

Although the Hon. John McKenzie is a member of a Government to which we are politically opposed, yet it affords us sincere pleasure to know that he has been able to make reply to and vindicate, himself of the serious charges made by Mr Spence against his administration of, laud affairs in Southland. Mr McKenzie showed that Mr Spence had been treated in ah exceptionally liberal manner, and the reduc-tions-in the Invercargill office were fully justified, and that considerable maladministration had taken place in regard to forest lands in Southland under Mr Spence. Speaking of the new land policy of the Government Mr McKenzie proposed, in the measure he would submit to Parliament, to provide for bona Jide settlement. He was quite prepared to give any person a freehold, pure and simple, but only on condition that the land was improved and not held for speculative purposes. The area would be curtailed though it would be such as would enable a family to live in comfort and plenty. He also intends to continue the deferred payment system on conditions of residence only. Thus would another opportunity be^ givento those who were desirous of obtaining a freehold, but were unable, through insufficient means, to purchase the title right ojit,,but they would be, compelled to settle upon and clear the land.' He also proposed to provide perpetual lease for those who wished to have land on that system and the terms would be such as Mr McKenzie hoped would be popular, but the terms, would be perpetual lease only. The final! g.azine: runs tenure would remain in force, but aurrounded with safeguards which would prevent the areas becoming the property of large owners, and would provide for the sub-division of such small runs amongst families. He thought dummyisua^ould be put a stop to, and he was going make an endeavour to prevent it. One of his chief proposals in that direction would be to make any breaches and evasions of the Laud- Act a misdemea; o ir under the Act. It would be a misdemeanour by both parties — that is the actual dummy and the person who employs him as such; and was convinced if that was done a large number of those engaged in this system of dummyism would never try it again ; they .would be liable to imprisonment without the option of a fine. Taking the speech as a. whole we think we are safe in believing it -to be a Ministerial statement of thepolicy of the Government carefully prepared and adopted. by Cabinet. That the Cabinet have changed their views on the land question, and practically adopted the policy of their predecessors; with the" exception of a few minor details, is a matter for congratulation, and there can be no question that the enunciation of this policy will do the Ministry much good 'with the country,