CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 807, 3 February 1910, Page 2

CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

As a result of a news item copied from this paper, by our Palmerston evening contemporary in reference to a petition forwarded to the Prime Minister by Mr Newman, M.P., asking that the Government acquire the property of Mr John Gemmell at Oroua Bridge for closer settlement, a correspondent states that “ the land is only second-class, and is overrun by rabbits at that.” He asks; “If land is required lor closer settlement, why not ask the Government to take over lirst-class dairying land such as Riddiford’s at Longburn ? When the supply of first-class land is exhausted it's time enough to fall back on this inferior stuff.” We quite agree with the remarks of our contemporary's anonymous correspondent in respect to Mr Riddiford’s holding, and we arc surprised that Palmerston has not moved in the matter before this. The land mentioned would cut up into excellent small leasehold areas, but the price to State tenants if acquired by the 'Government, would be rather high. For that reason, at present, it would be more profitable to all concerned were the Government to acquire the Oroua Bridge and other holdings adjacent to Foxton for closer settlement purposes. The “ inferior stuff ” referred to by our Palmerston contemporary’s correspondent is just so much bunkum. This portion of the Wellington province can stand plenty of closer settlement, and we are pleased to know that Mr Newman' is aware of this fact, and while we do not agree with our member on the question of tenure —for we are utterly opposed to

granting the freehold to crown tenants —we commend him for bis earnest desire to break up large areas for closer settlement purposes.