THE OTAGO LAND BOARD.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1605, 12 April 1879, Page 3

THE OTAGO LAND BOARD.

We, “ Dunedin Star,” have frequently elt it our duty to protest in the interests of the public against the political character of the Waste Land Boards. Wo did so when, under the Provincial form of government, the Executive of the day with the Chief Commissioner, who was their own officer, constituted the Board iu Otago, and when the Land Bill of 1877 was before Parliament we took occasion to point out that the continuance of the system of nomination by the Government was the one great blot in that otherwise useful and fairly liberal measure. The administration of the Act by the present Board of ibis district has still further confirmed our opinion, and those who have carefully watched its proceedings, even if not personally interested, can hardly fail to come to the conclusion that the action of the Board has been guided in accordance with the political mind and bias of Ministers, and although within the four corners of the Act, has been far from comformable to its spirit and intent. For some inscrutable reason the drey Cabinet, although professing much, have not in any way displayed energy or desire to promote settlement, at all events in this part of the Middle Island, but have seemed to lean rather on the support of the vested interests, especially the money, trading, and pastoral. It docs nos suit either of these that the land should be cut up and occupied by a thriving class of yeomanry ; the Board is made the instrument of carrying out this policy, and has especially distinguished itself by affording the least possible encouragement to the proper development of the deferred payment system, A tender regard hos always been shown for the pastoral lessees, whose runs are very gently dealt with when of necessity they have to be touched, and who in the matter of preemptive rights have been allowed privileges certainly never contemplated by Parliament. But not only is Ministerial influence exerted by means perfectly well understood, if not apparent but straightforward dictation has in many instances been resorted to, the Government forwarding, certainly under the cover of advice, instructions through the Undersecretary of Crown Lands as to what is to bo done in special cases.