GOVERNMENT GENEROSITY (?)

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 477, 26 June 1912, Page 5

GOVERNMENT GENEROSITY (?)

To the Editor. Sir,— May I enlist your aid to give publicity to the following instance of the consideration shown by the powers that be for the welfare of the back country settler. Land in this district was opened some eight years ago at a capita! value of £1 per acre, being then in its virgin state. The selectors, by dint of toil and perseverance, and in the face of such difficulties as poor communication and transport over the usual back country "roads," have gradually brought their holdings under cult'vation sufficiently to enable them to pay their way. The time has now arrived when the needs of the district demand a suitable meeting place in which church services, social gatherings and tha like may be held, and an attempt is being made to build a public hall. The Land Board has been approached with a view to obtaining a Crown lands sectiun of two acres adjoining the creamery or sufficient of that section on which to build a hall. The reply received states that Ministerial authority has been obtained to sell the site to the settlers as a body at a capital value of .-£5 O. Apparently no consideration is given to the fact that any increase in value has been brought about by the settlers themselves; nor to the fact that the land is to bs used for a public purpose. The atittude adopted seems rather unreasonable. especially in the fare of the oft-professed intention to assist the country settler in every possible wav.-—I am, etc,, WILLIAM HUDSON, Secretary Kio Kio Branch N.Z.F.U.