The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING MONDAY, JULY 22, 1907. THE GOVERNMENT’S LAND POLICY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2138, 22 July 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING MONDAY, JULY 22, 1907. THE GOVERNMENT’S LAND POLICY.

The Government land policy, as published in Saturday’s issue, wdl in all probability he placed on the Statute Book of this country without serious opposition, but it is difhciut to imagine that the fact will bring much satisfaction to the Ministry. True, tho Government has warded off defeat, and to a Cabinet which, following tho example of its immediate predecessors, apparently looks upon tho retention of office as something of a divine mission; the sacrifice of either principles or dignity :s nothing more than a passing incident. Tho chief feature of the original programme of the AVard Ministry, the compulsory limitation of areas on a fixed basis, has been dropped. The Minister of Lands stumped the country from one eiid to the other, declaring, with tho utmost fervor at his command, that large .‘States were steadily increasing to the great detriment of the community, and that nothing hut tho proposed limitation could save us. Has this land aggregation suddenly ceased, or lias the Minister already become of our salvation? Mr. McNab, in commencing his tour, declared that his mission was to educate tlio farmers as to the best methods of promoting settlement; it reallv seems that tho intended position of teacher and taught has been reversed, and that it has been the Minister who has received an education. AA’itli indignation the hon. gentleman declaimed against the action of past Governments in parting with Crown land —he called it “the people’s heritage”—and frankly explained that his Government would take care of the halanco in the future, for every acre was to be kept as a part of the endowment scheme. His only regret was that there was so little left. Tho Socialists cheered to tho echo, but sensible people shook their heads. And now we find that this heroic stand was not so urgent after all, and the Government has very materially reduced the amount to bo reserved for endowments, leaving four and a half million acres to be opened for settlement on tlie optional basis. AVliat wonder that such fiery Socialists as Mr. Laurenson are, figuratively speaking, heartily cursing the Ministry and all its works. Then there was the tenure question. Tho nolders of _ Crown lands under lease-in-perpetuity tenure are to be given the right to obtain the freehold at present valuation, such valuation to he fixed oy arbitration. This seems reasonable, provided the methods of carrying it into practice are thoroughly fair. There are many details worthy of discussion, but in the meantime it is sufficient-to note one or two, that are certainly commendable. The poiver to remit all rent for a period not exceeding 10 years is one that can properly lie exercised in tho case of lands-that are in such a condition as to be absolutely unprofitable for tlio first few years of occupancy. Again, the recognition that the work of cultivation in the case of grazing runs as an “improvement” to be allowed for at the termination of a lease is a verv important concession that should prove of advantage to the country. In the matter of ballots, the conditions that give preference to the landless and debar the speculator in leaseholds from competing with a legitimate settler are in the right direction. The chief feature of the land proposals, however, is the fact that the Government has officially recognised the demand for the freehold as sound and justifiable. In other words the education of Mr. McNab, if not complete, has advanced very materially during the past few months. Seriously speaking, the policy that is now before Parliament is practically the policy of the Opposition and the Farmers’ Union, who are to he warmly congratulated upon the success of their persistent and determined opposition to the original proposals of the Government. AVe ’.resume that when next electioneering the Ministers, following timehonored precedent, will proclaim that the Opposition has no political programme, but in view of such policystealing methods as that outlined above the good souse of the community can he depended upon to form an accurate conception of the true I position.