CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 464, 13 July 1909, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[To the Editor.] MR NEWMAN AND THE unemployed.

Sir,— -I find that an attempt is , being made by certain papers and * persons to convey the impression that I asked the Minister tor Labour, Mr Miller, when I spoke at the deputation abont the unemployed last, Monday, not to give proposed tenants the freehold. This is entirely wrong, and I shall be glad of your help to put the facts before the people. I sug-. gested that blocks of land should be set aside for close settlement by the unemployed, the men to be given the work of making roads, , etc., etc., and to obtain sufficient areas of land to make- homes for ~ themselves, and I am glad to see Mr Bdddo, Acting-Minister of Lands, has adopted the suggestion, and the only remark which I made with regard to tenure was that in the present company, viz., of the Minister of Labour and the Wellington members of Parliament* who -are all leasesholders, ; except Mr Herdman, and other Government supporters, I recognised that it was useless to ask for the right to purchase, until the Government would give the land, and employment* we (the Opposition Party) would give the ~ Freehold later on, I think my, views on the question of land , tenure must be fairly 'well known throughout the ■ constituency, by* this time, but I want it madequite clear, and beyond. doubC that whenever I have aft -opportunity, I shall use every legitimate means to give every Crown; tenant, now and in the future, the option of the Freehold* and that Idesire to see this Policy adopted by the' Government of the 3)o« minion. Thanking you,—‘Yours etc.,

Edward Newman. P.S.—The enclosed cutting from/ N.Z. Times corroborates above?

“Mr E. Newman, M.P, (Mona* watu), remarked uponkhefew ; suggestions which ■ ./had’* Jbeea made for curing the trouble except by charitable aid. To his mind the best cure’was to. put the people on the land, and if • the Government could-set 'apart some easily accessible blocks of land, cut them up into small sections, and engage the unem* ployed in clearing and roafdmaking. In such company, he would not suggest giving the men the freehold of the sections* bnt they.could obtain the lease* hold, “and we,” added the speaker, “ will give them free* . hold later on.”