New Zealand’s Prosperity.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 152, 9 July 1901, Page 4

New Zealand’s Prosperity.

Tun following letter appears in the Sydney Times :—Sir, — Tf the Commonwealth or Federation of Australia will only bring about a better system of Government, everyone who has any stake or interest in Xew Zealand, or is desirous for its progress, will have just cause to envy Federated Australia, for this colony has been loaded with an immense debt by the forcing through of political experiments, and for what other aim than to gain popularity so as to secure the bulk of the votes

to retain ollico and for politicians’ own gain ! And advantage has also been taken of the general prosperity of the whole world to delude the public by unjustly claiming the increased prosperity in the colony as resulting from their "administration. One thing more than all others on which the progress of the colony depends most, “ the settlement of the idle Crown lands,” should and would have first attention if the aim of the Government was the progress of the colony, but they arc held back from settlement. One of the political experiments has been the forcing through of the Land for Settlement Act, although there arc so many millions of acres of Grown lands

ying totally idle, only requirin'; roads tiadc to open them for settlement. Yet, according to reports, nearly two millions have already been spent to place only 1600 odd settlers on the improved estates they have purchased, or a cost to the colony of £Ol2 for each settler placed on them. This has, no doubt, secured the votes and interest of a great many landowners, who are hopeful of getting fanc\ pi ices for their lands from the Government, but is a great injustice to the colon v, when the Crown lands are lying totally idle. In this Pongakawa district alone an expenditure of only £250 to £BOO would make a short road of three to four miles across one block of idle Crown lands that would open many thousands of acres of other Crown lands to settlement and progress. Land, classed as second-class, subablc for agricultural and pastoral purposes, takes and holds grasses and clovers, even surface-sown ; stock of all kinds do well ; steers 21 years old, reared here and sent o the local auction sale, made £5 17s td each ; maize, roots, cereals, and most other farm and garden crops do well ; both the soil and climate are also eminently adapted for the growth of oranges, lemons, vines, and other fruits, for we only get slight frosts, never see snow, and the rainfall, which mostly falls at night, is sufficient, but not excessive. Yet, because the electors would not return a Government supporter, they used thenpower to injure the district and colonv beholding large areas of such Crown lands back from settlement. Such is the tyrannv and injustice of our Government as landowners here. The Crown lands, kept idle for over five years, are here in evidence to verify above statements, and a disgrace io the administration. It is all Self, Self. Self with our Government. Last session alone they increased their own and other highly paid salaries some £IO,OOO to £12,000. and since then reports say an increased annual expenditure on other salaries of £20,000 more has been made. But this, like the Oil Age Pension, will no doubt secure many votes, and the Crown lands are still kept idle, and the progress of the colony stopped in consequence. Federation, or some other system of i Government that would prevent such 1 maladministration, is urgently needed in this colony. According to reports, some of the Sydney papers have been praising the administration of our Government;

therefore, I should be glad if you will, when convenient, insert these facts and truths.—l ant, etc., S.L. Pongalsawa, Bay of Plenty,