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Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1496, 3 July 1905, Page 4

tiers Act, and these invest hiß name with an ospeoial emphasis. Tennyson aspires for tho tinio, “ When wealth no more shall rest in mounded heaps “ But emit with freer light, shall slowly melt “ In riiany streams, to fatten lower lno^ 11 And light shall spread, and n^ aa be liker man,”

And to John has been accorded the high honor of inaugurating the premier ioßtallnent of tho advancing millonium invoked by Tennyson, and appears as tho herald of brighter days. All hail John 1 May your auooosßors f-g low in your footsteps. Time will convert the dirt hurled at you into dust, which the viewless breezes will waft into nothingness. In emphasising tho high and distinctive characteristics of tbo two acts which I have; especially associated with John Me Kenzie’s uamo, I have by no meaos overlooked other ennotments of transcendent value, and |among these are “ The Penny Postage, 1 ’ “ The Old Men’s Pension,” and “ Tho Women’s' Enfranchisement Act.” These alone would constitute a grand record for any Government responsible for their existence, and tho influence thoreof is victoriously permeating every region of our empire, emphatically our empire, inasmuch as we constitute an important element thereof—a joint possession. Personally, I feel a gladdening sense of obligation in the fact that my sojourn above the soil has been extended to a period that has enabled mo to witness a transformation in the laws so comprehensive, patriotic, fruitful, and so creditto the legislature by whose instrumentality they, were placed in tho pages of the New Zealand statute book. Under these ciioumstanees 1 regret the existonoe of any cause of complaint, but as I bavo evidence of the existence of such, complaint becomes inevitable, and it has reference to the administration of the Advances to Settlers Act.

Now these may be classed under three headinns —.

Jet. Lack of promptitude in replying to applioations-for advances. I have known cases where three months have passed before the advance applied for was obtained, whilst public companies have advanced on equivalent security a sum exceeding that advanced by the Government Advance Office by more than 20 per cent., after a consideration of three days. , 2nd. The inadequacy of tho amount relative to the security offered. But as this evil haß been admitted by the Government, and measures taken to remedy the same, one scarcely uosd enlarge upon it. . 3rd. Inconsistency ; (a) in tho valuation of the improvements made as a baso for the advance, and (b) iuoonsistenoy in the .amounts advanced. To avoid needless repetition, I will only give one illustration. I know a settler who had a garden and orchard, which the valuer for the Government assessed at £4O. I knew the place well, and considered be was justified in the decision be arrived at. At another place there was a much larger garden and orchard visited by another Government valuer. A eum exceeding £IOO had been expended upon it at the least, probably much more, and tho valuer declined to admit it as any security at all, but on tho grounds that the improvements had no eadoring value. About the same time Mr Boucber, Government expert, called to inspect, and oomplimentad the person in charge upon the excellent etate of the garden, and particularly the orohard therein. He said he was surprised to Bee it, as in isolated and remote districts there was often much tio be desired in such. I (who was the person in charge) asked him if there was no point on. which he could give me a wrinkle.

Ho replied l , "iNo, I; do nob sec anything has been omitted,” but he ,'thought the trees might he getting too high'. -Yet -he considered it a debatable question, as-much depended upon the aspect amid degree of exposure .to high winds. But I Will not enlarge further, though there is abundant material available tos fill many pages. It may he alleged that other settlers have expressed their satisfaction with office. Granted- Blit that only emphasises the necessity of investigation, since an enactment that onerates welt in some districts and ill in others must be defective sionicwherc. My own opinion was that some official or officials regarded the Act with) ill-will, and that the sight of its opieratio-ns flush with

success was distasteful to them. I cannot otlierwise account for the discrepancies apparent. An Act of such value must not) he throttled by mismanagement.