THE GOVERMENT SCHEME OF SETTLEMENT.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1745, 23 September 1879, Page 3

THE GOVERMENT SCHEME OF SETTLEMENT.

WELLINGTON, September 22. A deputation from the Working _ Men's Bights League waited upon the Premier and Minister of Lands to-day, to urge upon the Government the desirability of giving working men the means of settling upon country lands. The Minister of Lands said the Government would next session, introduce a Bill, one objeot of which would be to reduce the_ price of land on deferred payments ; the]minimum was fixed at 30s, but it would rest with Land Boards to raise the price in the case of very choice lands. Another proposal was that the Government Bhould take powers to survey lands in the vicinity of public works and sell them undfer Orders in Council, fixing the terms of payment by arranging the scale. In this way their settlement would be effected as soon as possible. It was also proposed that the eize of the sections Bhould vary from quarteracre to forty acres, the greater number being ten acres, to meet the case of men employed on publio works, who could spend half their time improving their land. The Premier said he thought, when they understood the scheme, they would find that it met their views entirely. There was nothing to prevent men taking up the seotions who were not employed on the publio works. Residence was the only stipulation. The village settlements would be oreoted along the line of railway, and he thought the assistance given by the employment on the publio works would be a great advantage. For instance, there would be certain times of the year when they would not wish to be working on their farms. Then the means of access would be easy and cheap. It was pointed out that settlers should receive assistance in the shape of timber for their dwellings, a cow, and plough, but the Premier said that would be impracticable. Both the Premier and Mr Thomson said a Bill would be introduced immediately, and they hoped to see it brought into force during next snmmer.