" NOW’S THE DAY," &c.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 53, 13 October 1887, Page 2

" NOW’S THE DAY," &c.

" Now’s the day and now's the hour," Such is the quotation which graces the head of a leading article emanating from our Tory friend down the street. It has always been the custom of “ our friend ” to suit themselves to circumstances, and when the public have decided to discuss any important questions with a view to forcing them upon the notice of the Government “Now’s the day, and now’s the hour" policy is adopted. Elsewhere appears a notification that a public meeting will be held to-night to discuss the question of Crown and Native lands of the East Coast. The meeting has been called by the Mayor in compliance with a requisition from a large number of ratepayers. Our contemporary, evidently thinking that “ now is the time ” to hold such a meeting, says that the local bodies should pass resolutions in favour of opening up the Crown and Native lands for settlement, and compares us unto a people in the wilderness who will have to cry out lustily to be heard. Oh ye gods and little fishes! Apart from the gross injustice we have hitherto received at the hands of the various Governments we would ask who has done more towards retarding settlement than the Herald 1 -They have made the district stink in the nostrils of the outside public by the continual abuse of the lawyers and bankrupts, and have in every conceivable manner possible endeavoured to make out that the district has sunk to such a state that would effectually check any inflow of capital. They have the satisfaction of knowing that they have been successful in their efforts, and, no doubt, gloat over the fact that the East Coast is popularly known as the land of the “bankrupt and lawyer, the land of bad land titles and land-sharks.” Now they call upon the people to cry out their

grievances in a loud voice, so that they might receive the/ benefits necessary for the welfare of this district. When Mr Graham was elected as our member we pointed out that is was his duty to meet the local bodies and confer with them on the questions referred to, but Tory like,' he thought he knew more about them than anybody else, and departed on his way full of pomp and glory, Had he taken our advice the natural outcome would not alone have been the.passing of forcible resolutions, but the calling of a public meeting at which he could have been present.

The importance of throwing open the Crown and Native lands is .so apparent that there is little need of comment. The closing of them has had a disastrous effect throughout the East Coast, and vigorous remonstrance is necessary to produce a result so much to be desired, and to-night’s meeting should demand that this district should receive some little attention at the hands of the Government. The Harbour Board last night resolved to take combined action in the matter, and with the assistance of the other local bodies should be able to materially strengthen Mr Graham’s hands. It is no use for the speakers at the' meeting to-night to get upon the platform and cry out against the injustice this district has suffered from. We want more than that. Mere talk will not prove anything. Facts and figures will prove that the Government are in duty bound to recognise our c’aims, and these should be forthcoming, The blocks of land suitable for settlement should be mentioned, and success must follow if our member is any good at all. Atkinson means to raise revenue through the disposal of Crown lands, and his statement to this effect affords a splendid opportunity for Mr Graham to base his appeal on. As to Native land legislation we have no doubt that Mr Ballance’s measure will, in the immediate future, be repealed, and by the advocacy of the Maori members there will be free trade in native lands.