The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, DECEMBER 30, 1902

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 706, 30 December 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, DECEMBER 30, 1902

LAND SETTLEMENT. IL is evident, that the people of this district will need to make it stir soon

if they are. within any reasonable period, to have the promised throwing open of native lands. The Government have adopted a certain line of policy in dealing with .the unused native lands. That policy is open to

much adverse criticism, the main objection being the setting up of a gigantic system of Maori landlordism*} but, if it is to be the irrevocable line of policy—and the Government have the strength to insist that it shall he—the sooner a move is made to put the lands to service the better. It' may be said that there are many- ob--w.les yet to be faced, which is no doubt correct. *hat steps we at present being taken to give i---• eai effect to the policy ? In some respects good progress has been made, but the settler eager to take up the land cannot patiently listen to such excuses, after the fair promises that were held out. The Maoris are essentially a people of the “ taihoa ” habit in anything connected with the dealing with’ their lands ; but are coS

the Government also displaying something of the “ taihoa ” policy after a striking display of energy ? By our telegrams it will be seen that the people of the North have been chafing under delays. Their impatience is. however, proving of service to them, as steps are being taken to throw open further areas in the King Country. Dealing with the Te Awamutu ballot, the Auckland Herald remarks that “ for the paltry number of 18 sections there were no fewer than 10t«8 applications, so that making all allowance for duplications it is plain that for every satisfied applicant 3(1 went empty away.’’ The Auck'.tnd journal then goes on to make a characteristic attack on the Government. We arc sarcastically informed mat " this is an instance of its paternal solicitude." Proceeding, it states “ There is no other Knglish-spcak’iig community in which pulic lands would In' so persistently ami consistently closed against. Ihe rush of capable and industrious settlers. The United States (lung its lands open to all who would take them. Canada sedulously endeavors to persuade ’minigrant settlers to go to the sections always ready for them. Even drought cursed Australia is continually striving to settle her more agricultural area. South Africa is a most vigorous competitor in the universal bid for population. Yet in New Zealand so dependent tor its prosperity upon agriculture, so rich in eveiy natural opportunity, a paltry block of eighteen sections is tardily offered to over a thousand applicants.” In tins criticism, of course, we have to allow a good deal for avowed hostility to the Government; hut the fact still remains, that unless we press upon the Government the urgent necessity of giving greater facilities for settlement, the “ taihoa ” policy will continue to prevail. Mr Seddon, with a keen eye to the public needs, has declared that the Alpha and the Omega of the Government policy is settlenient on the land, and in face of such a declaration there need be no hesitation in asking when the Mpha portion of the programme is to begin. Certainly we have been informed of the intention to acquire a few high-priced estates in the South. But what is being done as to Inese native lands that have so long been lying idle? Big hopes have been raised ; when are even the small hopes to be realised ?