RE-LEASING THE BUNS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6495, 21 December 1881, Page 5

RE-LEASING THE BUNS.

[Bt Teibobaph.] [vbou oca ows coaaaarosDßHx.] "dDNEDIN, Dec. 20. A meeting of Otsgo member* of the Home, lo consider the queition of re-leasing the Otsgo runs, was held this afternoon. Tbo raecliag was called by Mr Vincent Fyke, M.HJL for Damtaa { and the following representatives were present Messrs H. 8. Fish, Dunedin South; T. Bracken, Dunedin Central t M. W. Green, Dunedin East j W. Barron, Caversham ; J. Bathgate, Botlyn ; W. Beaton, Fcninaula ; V. Fyke, Dunsten; J. Mackenzie, Moarakt; James Green, Watkonatti; T. Daniel, Biverton j H. Driver, Hokonui; J. 0. Brown, Toapeka t T. J. Duncan, Waitaki j and 8. 16. Shrimekt, Oamaru.

Mr Fyke occupied the chair, and said that proposals bed been made, that affected not only 6,000,000 acres in Otago, but alio 800,000 acres in Canterbury. It had been decided that it was not necessary to give the runholdera any notice that their leases would not be renewed. Tbe members had left the House on tbe understanding that the question would not be dealt with until tbe meeting of the new Parliament. _ He did not wish to make the present a political meeting, but to do the best they could in connection with the question now before them. Ho read tetters from Messrs Bastings, Macandrew and BaUance. Parliament had been prorogued until Feb. 14, batas the leases would be offered for sale on Feb. 10, and as there had been an understanding that they should not bo dealt with until the meeting of the House, he thought they should consider whether action should not be taken in tbe matter.

Mr Shrimski said bo could endorse what Mr Pyko bod said uto the promise made by the Hon W. Bolkston, that the Government would sot deal with the rune until the meetins of the sow Parliament. Mr Driver moved—“ That in view of the ■ magnitude of the interests involved, it is, in the opinion of this mooting, highly desirable that all action in relation to dealing with the pastoral leaceo, which expire in March, 1883, should bo suspended until the newly-elected Parliament have had an opportunity of considering the best mode of disposing of the lands affected," He did to, that they might hereafter not bo arraigned against ono another, but do the best it was possible with the rune now foiling in. Mr J. 0. Brown seconded the resolution, and suggested that Parliament should bo called together late in February or early in March, in order to deal with the question of the run*. Ho greater insult could be offered Parliament than by Government acting as they intended. Mr Fish thought they should go to Government with definite proposals, and should point how the law should be amended and in what respect, it waa prejudicial to the public interests. Ho thought the Canterbury members should meet the Otago members to consult on the subject. Messrs Pyko and Driver followed, and Mr M. W. Green thought the responsibility of refusing pre-emptive right ought not to be given to an irresponsible Board. Though the present Land Board might be favourable to settlement, a Board might arise not prepared to promote it. Mr Bracken thought that as the present Parliament was elected on aw id sr franchise, it woe the proper body to deal with the matter, os the late one was not such a representative s?te motion was carried. Mr Bathgate sold the runs were not sufficiently advertised, and by the manner Government proposed to deal with them, they would be a gift to the present occupants. Ho was told they were advertised in Victoria, but runboldew there were not likely to bo attracted, as they had much larger notions. The class who would occupy profitably the runs were the bill farmers of the north of Kngland and Scotland, but they at present knew nothing of the advantages wo could offer. Probably they did not know of the existence of the Agent-General, although Gwmda was circulating information regarding inducement# to emigrate thither. He proposed—" That to prevent any injury accruing to the present knees by reason of such suspension, they sheuid bo offered a renewal of their leases for a further period of one year on existing terms, subject to the condition that any land required lor sole or settlement, os deferred payment agricultural blocks, agricultural leases blocks, or deferred payment pastoral blocks, may be taken for such purnoras after Mow* 1883 without compensation; that the foregoing bo transmitted to the Minister for Drown Lands, with a request that he will cause effect to be given thereto " The resolution was carried. Messrs J. Green and Fish declined to sign the resolutions, but the other# were unanimous.