THE LAND QUESTION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2214, 11 June 1908, Page 2

THE LAND QUESTION

In last issue wo drew attention to the efforts that ,aire ‘being made in Victoria to ‘bring about closer settlement and front perusal of exchanges, it is evident that those who aro attempting to solve this important .problem have to face precisely tho same difficulties as have manifested themselves in this country. In reviewing tho position tho Melbourne ‘‘Argus” says: There is a party which proclaims loudly that ,a graduated land tax is tho one and only panacea. It is not composed of men who, as a rule, have knowledge of the land or anything but an indirect interest in mural prosperity. The graduated tax, whoso object- is to destroy for an owner the value of property ‘which has been, lawfully and industriously acquired, as supported 'almost solely on tlie mischievous ground that it is a step on -tlio road towards the universal “nationalisation” of which the socialists dream. To the socialist all expropriation spells progress. Tho taxing power of Government is to ho perverted so as to ‘become a weapon for class injury; it denies the very essence of the wholesome doctrine of compensation to any indi-vidual-whose interests the state subordinates to its own supreme necessities. Instead of being a national advance, it sullies the national ideal with a bitter lofet for class spoliation. Its inevitable effect is to ex-

.propriate; it may not cycir— H t'he ■accidental effect of promoting _ tiio closer settlement which we all hope for. Where it will end, when once national theft from the individual has ibeert shown to bo so easy, nobody ciin say. Should Mi-, uisters, yielding to class pressure, be .unwise enough to adopt this immoral policy, they will -have to face criticism as the initiators of a system of robbery. What they begin, others will make worso. The if ears expressed by the “Argus” are well founded, for in New Zealand we have already “progressed” so far that bv lan Ingenious arrangement we virtually compel the landowner to himself fix the taxation on his land so high that it will mot pay the State to acquire it. .What wonder that Sir Joseph Ward comforted the clamoring Socialists .in Christchurch last week with the statement that the land legislation of New Zealand was more drastic than that of any other country 1 Proceeding with its comments ,the “Argus says: The problem is not one for doctrinaires. 'Extremists ory out for any form of compulsion, however ■unjust, because they would be delimited fo use compulsion simply for its own sake. ‘‘Make ’em sit up,” is the gleeful .party cry. Practical .and honestly-minded men would .rather see the Ministry make a practical attempt to devise some steady means by which large landholders might ho induced to make way for other forms of rural industry, with compulsion, (exercised by Parliament) as a reserve power to be applied in case of need to the stubborn few who might oppose themselves to the deliberate national will. Ministers should take counsel with the men in the community whose interests are bound up with’ the promotion of wealth by closer settlement. They should find some means of conferring with land-hol-ders; with members of the Closer (Settlement Board, who can gauge 'accurately the needs of the men searching for land; with Savings 'Bank commissioners and bankers, who see the great benefit to be ex- . pected from subdivision; with men of mercantile experience, whose one desire must be to see a thriving population in every corner of ‘‘the state. Out of deliberations and conferences like these the Ministry ought to bring a practical scheme, perhaps like Mr Swinburne’s, or

perhaps on lines not yet revealed. tSucli .an effort would .take the question away from the arena of party trickery and hatred. Ultimately it would come before Parliament, but it is possible that the Government would have devised so equitable and sensible a plan that its acceptance would be practically unanimous.

There is a v.ist amount of commonsense in the views thus propounded by the “Angus.” Unquestionably it would be to the advantage of tho country if the land question could bo removed from the turmoil of party politics instead of being baudied about to suit the electioneering necessities of party politicians. There is little doubt that if the sense of those chiefly and directly concerned in this matter had been obtained and utilised our land legislation would bear an'ent-re-ly different aspect from, that which it presents to-day.

Tho Christchurch electric tramway system completed its third year of existence on Friday last.

Tho Master Bakers’ Association at Dunedin haw decided to ■■raise tho prico of hreid to GJd, commencing from Monday Inst.

Tho children from Mr. J. I • Shoridan’s Pantomino Company indulged in ft series of outdoor grimes, races, and other exorcises near the Trafalgar band rotunda, yestorday afternoon. Tho juveniles seemed to thoroughly onjoy tlioinsolveH, and after their romps had a group photograph taken.

The mildness of tho season in Canterbury has been shown in many w ays recently. 'lll the Ashburton Domain a brood of hybrid ducks has been hatched, and another remarkable evidence reported from Ashburton is that "Mr James Elliott, of Ne-theuby, was able to-,pick -a pll-aie of raspberries from his canes a week ago.

Speaking of tho small-bird pest, -a Foilding lurmer said that the time would soon arrive when systematic poisoning must he carried out .in order to eradicate the ever-increasing pest. He considered the fanners weft) to blame lor the way in which they sat down idly 'and waited -until some local body .provided them with grain. Even then some of them wore too -indifferenT to go -and .procure supplies. lie -cowddered it- was nut a matter lor -a load body to deal with at all, -but one for the iSarmecs.;

The Hon. J. A. Millar informed a reporter at Dunedin on Friday that under the Shearers Accommodation Act a special impection- of shed} had beepv made throughout tho dominion, ami the result justified _tilie bliorouigh-ne-.-is; of the inspection. “Notices have been -issued to hundreds of statiotiholders,” I'li.id the -Minhater, “to build or renew -accommodation, and it is safe to assort that by next shearing season very distinct improvements will -bo effected in tho housing of workers.”

An irate correspondent writes as follosvs :—ls there no means, (sir, by which-wo can -be protected from tho carelessness and recklessness of people who will persist in -allowing horses and cattle -to stray in the streets and roads of tho town? This -practice is so prevalent as to bo a great nuisance in. some parts, and it is, moreover, distinctly dangerous under certain circumstances. AVhen going homo from work or leaving for town these dark nights -it- is very disconcerting to suddenly see a huge mass loom up in -front of one and the next moment -find that one lia6 almost stumbld over a cow or -horse. Havo we a-Borough inspector, 'and is.'ho watching those things?

Invercargill residents aro now compelled to be content with a ’bus service to and 'from the suburbs. The old iliorso tramway has been taken up, with tho intention of constructing one on up-to-date lines. There lias been considerable delay, however, and Sir Joseph AA’ard explained the reason tea “Southland Times” reporter. lie was .pleased to be able to state th-at tiie Ordor-in-Council had been signed, and that the whole -busiuea> iwould be gone on with at once, l'ho purchase of material had been made In -England. This was all ready for shipment, and only awaited the sending of a cable. The difficulty had -been to have the conditions of the deed of delegation satisfactorily •drawn out. This was -always -a lengthy proceeding with every public work, and in fact had been fixed -up more expeditiously than was the case elsewhere. It had taken time, however. -and everything was now in readiness for all definite steps to bo taken.

One of the most -regrettable features of the over-crowding and general unsuitability of the Dominion Museum is the compulsory storage in the open air of a- hinge number of Maori carvings, particularly of two very fine can-oes from the Wanganui River; The Director of the Museum (Air A. Hamilton) has stored -away —neces.aijlihre -Hia inrbl}c—>oaauioi —see. them—a forge collection of carvings, but. sumo are too big to dispose of in this way, and; the canoes referred to are -included in their number. Much of the work is very old, and must in the .nature of things decay much more rapidly wljen exposed to. wind and rain than if properly housed. The borer, too, is -as busy on the curving outside as upon the timbers of the Aluseutn 'itself, although the specimens within are well protected. The canoes were-got dow n from the AVanganuii for the Christchurch Ex'hibition, and it was hoped- (says the “Press”) that they would have been placed lor comparative reasons, if: for nothing else, alongside the big war canoe -already -in the Museum'; but the collection has outgrown the space, ami these fine specimens of Maori handicraft Drive t 0 suffer in consequence.

Speaking to a representative of the “iDftily-Telegraph” in Sydney, Arnet, the,New Zealand sculler, .referred to the coming -match between him and Webb, and said that he had never felt better. “I am stronger in every way, my seat in the boat is firmer, my methods generally have improved by leaps 'and hounds, and, .above all,’ - '’ be said, with a laugh, “I have shaken off tiiat old game of mine of turning turtle. 1 send the scale round at 14st 41b now, hut intend racing somewhere in the vicinity of I3st; that will be about 181 b I will have to tike off. I will probably race ‘Pearce on the Pur.ranratter .River in August, lmt that ,is not fixed tip definitely, as Pearce seems to find some difficulty in raising the £IOO side wager, and I don’t feel disposed to race him for less. I think that sum is little enough, considering I stand a chance of being beaten, which would certainly make a great deal of difference to my match with Webb. However, lie is endeavoring to raise the required sum ,or as much of it as possible, then wo will, clinch the matter. Presuming that Pearce gets the money, I will go through .a regular course of training .under George Towns, and prepare myself thoroughly for the raco.”

An Australian woman of u persistent turn of mind, acquired much experience but little satisfaction the other day (says the “Bulletin”). Tripping into a butcher’s shop she bought a pound of chops but on reaching home she found they wore quite unfit for human food. It wasn’t the first time that had happened so she decided to “teach the

butcher a lesson.” [Rolling the chops up ayi in she visited an inspector of Foods for Export, who having smelt the chops distantly, recommended her to take them back and change them. But she wasn’t that kind .of woman ; s 0 she-went to the Public Health office at the other end of the city, where an official viewed the meats, and said they were very bad, and suggested tb/it she go to the Town Hall. She went there, and encountered a gentleman typewriting. He inspected the mutton, and opined that its funeral Iliad been somewhat delayed. He also said he would go and limit up an inspector. Presently an inspector arrived. IHe viewed the remnants of deceased sheep once more .and then faded wway to bring a medical officer. .By the time that person reached the scene tOie meat had to be nearly held' down by force; but he •and the lady ultimately escorted it .back to the butcher’s. That cute tradesman knew a health officer at a glance., and, of course, mo bad meat was to .be found in bis emporium; so the officer assured the lady that she must have got all the bat! meat in the shop. Then lie said “Good-after-noon,” and invited her to call oil him again should she buy any more bad meat.

It is understood that during tho French Revolution Napoleon insisted "that the courtiers must exercise the greatest neatness in disposing of the attire. not required at the usual court functions. Such a proceeding is worthy of being followed in the ordinary course of life; this week it’s hat and coat hooks, with porcelain knobs, for twopence, at Parnell’s Popular Saturday Sales, 13th last, only.

The residents of 'Man.gapapa nro Good work has been accomplished invited to attend a mooting at Mr. towards tho re-launching 9! tlio Union MoCUskio’s (house tlliis evening, wllion Company’s steamer Taviuni, which an address on missionary work will , was stranded on the beach near Westob given by llov. W. S. Strong, mis- port a few weeks ago (says tho New sionnry from China. 7 Zealand “Times”). During tho sprang tides last week, the Taviuni was moved about 931 b:, and 53ft. nearer tho breakwater, through which she is to be launched into tho channel. The vessel has now to be carried about 400fb to reach tho' breakwater, and will shortly be lifted on skids for that purpose. There is only 2ft. -Gin. of water around tho vessel in her present position at high spring tides. About eight men. are now working at the scene. About twenty "mechanic# and assistants will leave Wellington within a few days for. Westport, and laborers will be obtained on tlio spot. Mr. J. Daniel, the .superintendent of repairs for the Union Company will leave 'Wellington to-morrow to direct tlio work of re-launehirig. A start will Ijo made tp cut an aperture in the breakwater about next Thursday, but it will require about two more spring tides to lift tlie : Taviuni on to tlio skids. When tlio time lias arrived for raising the steamer there will be hydraulic jacks on hand with a lifting capacity of 3000 tons.

Tho limelight display to bo given in tho Salvation Army -Citadel tonight by Mr. C. I'. Poitou, promises to be enjoyable. Some excellent slides will bo shown, n number of illustrated songs will fie given, and the Salvation Army band will also play a fow items.

Sir Joseph AA’ard etated in answer to a question by a representative .-of tho “Lyttelton Times”' on- Friday, that on his return to AVelJimgton tho appoint-ment of the lion-. AA r . I*. Reeves its -High Commissioner in London, which will expire shortly, will bo renewed for -a short term. T-lio Governmonit has not yet ar-nived at any decision in regard to any future appointment to tflie office..

The Hon. James M’Gownn mot with an accident while boarding the steamer Waikare at Gisbornejon Monday night. There was a. good swell in the Bay, and tho tender rolled considerably. In getting from the tender to the AVai'knro tho Minister got 'me of his foot janibed by the gangway, and the injury is causing him to limp about. He had a narrow escape from losing his foot.

At a deputation to the Hon. AA r . Hall-Jones, on Friday, Air. T. AI. Wilford, AI. P., stated that next session he intends endeavouring Jo bring about some change in the system of rating. He pointed out that owing to tho high values ruling at Lower liutt , for instance, dairying .was practically out* of the. question. It would bo a good tiling if a system of differential rating could bo introduced. Land held for building purposes could then be rated higher than that used as a dairy farm.

Tho -first subscription" concert of the Gigborno Orchestral Society will be hold, on July 13, wilion a -good programme of music will bo placed before the subscribers. The -full strength of tho Society is over 30, and itdiasbeen successful in obtaining the services of several instrumentalists new to Gisborne, .who include harp, oboe, saxophone, French horn, and other players. , Splouclid- practices ttiave been hold lately, and t/liore is every 'indication that the concert -will be'superior to any previous entertainment given by 'the -Society.

Air. F. AI. Bourke states, that nearly the whole of tlie wool discharged from No 1 hold of tho lonic, after tho recent fire in AA’ollingt-on, lias been dealt > with successfully at his works at Riverside, Hawke’s Bay, and tlie bulk of it will bo shipped by tho nextcargo steamer loading at Napier. The flax, damaged bv fire, smoke, and water, has bleached,up splendidly, and is now being re-baled at the New Zealand Shipping Company’s store at Foxton. A local insurance manager estimates tho damage done by the fire at approximately £25,000.

Following on Air. G. J’. Donnelly’s gift to the State farms of a number of pure-bred Shorthorns, Air. R. D. D. Al’Lean, of Alaraekakaho, has given the Department the right to pick ten of tho best Shorthorn heifers on his estate. Tlie Alinister (the Hon. R. Al’Nab) is very gratified that such interest as being taken in tlio work of the experimental farms and that wealthy men are prepared to give the best of their herds to assist a scheme which lias boon established for' the general benefit of the farming community.

In conversation with _ a “Times” representative last evening, Mr. John Townley recalled an incident- which occurred during the visit to Gisborne some years ago of Lord and Lady Glasgow and family. The partv. numbering eleven in all, had been taken for a drive to Te Arai, and when crossing the Taruheru bi-idge a tyre came off one of the wheels of the vehicle. A heavy .rain was descending, and the streets were exceedingly muddy, so, to save the party walking, tlie driver continued, put necessarily at'a'very slow'"paeeT' The particularly slow progress they were making somewhat; amazed Their Excellencies, but as they were landed at the wharf 6afely, nothing was said to them about the mishap.

•FOOD FOR THE MIND. Leguininotherapic, or treatment by vegetables is the latest scientific developments to win approval. A distinguished Paris physical), affirms that vegetables have a. considerable influence on the physical and moral wellbeing of those who eat them, and that they will euro many maladies. Pota-,; toes develop the reasoning faculties,, the equilibrium of the mind, the calmness of reflection, but over-indulgence in them produces apathy and indifference. Carrots develop good temper, •and are recommended to bilious and peevish subjects. Spinach , induces energy, ambition, constancy, and willpower. Sorrel leads to discouragement and sadness, and causes painful nightmare and troubled sleop. French beans predispose /to amiable daydreams, which develop artistic thoughts and sentiments. Haricot beans, the physician specially recommends to all workers, both manual and intellectual.

. A neighbors’ quarrel was taken to tlie A la-gist rate’s Court .in Ashburton 1 ist week when 11. Clark claimed £lO from J. AI. Alorison, to cover damages caused by tlie defendant topping and trimming a hedge dividing the.properties of the two parties. Air Kennedy appeared for the plaintiff, and Air -Buchanan for the'defendant. Evidence ova-s given that by cutting the hedge the defendant Dia-d interfered with, tlie pnivney of the plaintiff’s premises, and the hedge w*ould not recover its -former growth for five years. Judgment wa§ given against tlio defendant for £5 and costs.

Dairy cows are expected to fetch top prices next spring writes the Wairarapa correspondent of the “Dominion”), but with few exceptions present sales give no indication whatever of a rise. A well-informed stock auctioneer, however, states that there is already a- general demand in Wairarapa and Manawatu for good dairy cows, and the other day a Carterton dairy farmer sold his entire speciallyselected herd to a Palmerston North buyer for £6 per head. In Wairarapa itself several dealers and farmers who have the well-grassed pastures are quietly buying up dairy cows, which will be calving early in the spring. The scarcity of dairy stodc is partly owing to the fact that large numbers were sold during the drought time for boiling down, and the demand is likely to bd’intensified, because of the present excellent prospects of plenty of food. During the past six weeks prices have advanced £1 per head, and a competent authority declares that by September next, good dairy cows will be quoted at £lO apiece.

Stanley G. .Robinson was charged at'the Magistrate’s Court at. Wellington recently with posting to iMrs Curtis a document which, 'by reason of its wording or appoiiMiice, was likely to cause any person ignorant of the lav to believe it had been issued by a Court of :law, . judge, magistrate, or other officer of the Court. Defendant was manager of the Anglo-Ame-rican Art Company,’ which gives away enlargements, and a dispute arose as to payment. .Mi’s Curtis then received a document printed osi blue paper and couched lin pseudo-legal; terms, threatening the receiver with proceedings in tile 'Magistrate’s Court. The defendant culled on Airs Curtis later and asked her “if she had received the summons.” The Chief Detective, stated that the practice of distributing such documents was becoming very common. Hie Worship held that the document bore enough resemblance to a Court paper to constitute its tissue a breach of the law. He therefore imposed ti fine of £2, with costs £1 3s, in default 6even days’ imprisonment.

In speaking of the Gulvcrden Estate at a public meeting on. Friday last Mr G". Laurenson, M.P., said that the acquisition of the estate would settle twenty-mine families, each of which would cost £-1000 to put on the land. It was too much. Each family would have to possess capital of about £BOO, and the Government. instead of helping persons with that much money, should be endeavoring to reach the man with from £SO to £IOO. Tile present land system would have to be overhauled, and the time had come when the country should go in for settlement that would reach the• poorer people. He regretted to'see that it was proposed by the Christchurch Land" Hoard to give the homestead block at C'ulverdeii, valued at £14,100 and comprising 2892 acres, to the manager of the estate without ballot. That was not in accordance with the clause in the luid 1 ilaavs of last year, Ibut was an abuse of a fair system that had not been expected, and if the clause was to he exercised in tOmt direction the only tilling left to the Government to>do would he to repeal the clause altogether. For Bronchial Coughs tab" Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. x. . 2 >*. d 6d.