The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast 'Times. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER. 20, 1926. A LAND SENSE.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast 'Times. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER. 20, 1926. A LAND SENSE.

Fnoek the above heading it is satisfactory that contemporaries are addressing themselves to the question of lands for settlement, and some of the papers are taking ip a similar attitude to this paper, especially in regard to the lack of positive interest in the subject by the Minister of Lands. A Christchurch paper, lor Jnstaiue. remarked that the pessimistic indifference of the Minister of Lands in regard to land settlement has at last provoked a protest from Parliament, the significance of which is not hidden by the moderation of. its expression, for the criticism has come from members of the Minister’s own party. From that angle also a staunch Reform journal like the Auckland Herald went on to say that Mr J. C. Rollestoii has hluntIv told the Minister that he could do more in settling waste lands, and that lie would be wiser to spend money in placing men on virgin country than in buying a fully-improved sheep station, and Mr Campbell has expressed his misgivings at. the sub-division of such a property. The Minister’s only defence is that the Gisborne purchase referred

to will accommodate more than five sheep! armers—that he' " ill be surprised 1 it 20 or moro settlers were not placed on it. Parliament must have been sur- ■ prised at this obvious admission that the Minister, before sanctioning the purchase did not ascertain the exact capacity of the property, and still more surprised that he tlid not ofTcr any justification of this purchase of improved land while vast areas of Crown land are lying idle, a prey to pests and a sacrifice to official indolence. But the country could forgive such mistakes ns the Gisborne purchase' if they had been committed in a sincere enthusiasm for the promotion of settlement, says the Reform journal referred to. According to his lights the Minister of Lands may he sincere, but he is incapable of enthusiasm towards the fundamental problem of the country’s government. His duty as Minister of Lands is to stimulate and foster the land sense; but his-only conception of it, expressed in actions and utterances, is that 4 men of sense will for-swear the land. Why then should lie cling to a task whicS is obviously distasteful and more difficult than he feels competent to undertake? It calls for vision in planning, vigour in execution, faith in its ulti-mate-benefits to the individual settler and to the country. Toward its solution Mr McLeod has nothing to offer, but cynical pessimism. nerveless apathy, and hopeless infidelity in Loth the fertility of our idle lands and the ability of landless settlers, whether New Zealanders or British immigrants, to overcome obstacles no greater than their forefathers surmounted. This caustic review of the position has our support, for it reiterates even more pointedly than we have done, the general feelings of the people who are anxious to see a genuine land for settlement policy again revived in New Zealand. But apparently there must lie a more sympathetic Minister than Mr McLeod in charge of the Lands Department.