Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1919. MR. NEWMAN AND LAND SETTLEMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2060, 27 November 1919, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1919. MR. NEWMAN AND LAND SETTLEMENT.

MR. XEWMAN's address in the Town Hall on Tuesday night, except for a. reference to the proposed acquisition of the Urewera Country for settlement purposes, contained nothing original. 1( was a brief recital of certain legislation passed during the recent session, will) a general approval of same, and .a ■tribute l«» the work done by both parties. Indeed, from bis utterances on Tuesday inghi, unless erne did ml know that Air Newman was a supporter of the Government, it would be difficult to know which

party he championed. He gave credit to the Liberals without indulging in adverse criticism, and carefully steered a middle course. This attitude may be temperamental of Air. Newman rather than diplomatic cairn milage. We believe Mr Newman, like many other politicians, would be happier without the evils of Party Government. Still, while we have Parly Government we must have partisans, and it is a very difficult thing for a partisan to mention only the virtues of the other side. Air Newman suggested the acquisition of about 70,000 acres of the Urewera Native-held country for settlement purposes by soldiers, the same to be made accessible by light railways. It such a proposal does come to pass we hope the fee simple of the land will not pass from the State, and Urn! the land will not he cursed by the hungry speculator and aggregator. There are people who would acclaim Mr Newman's proposal lor the reason that it would divert attention from their nefarious practices in land Jobbing. Air Newman agrees that aggregation and dummyism exists in the more settled parts of the Dominion, and is of opinion that the recent “drastic” legislation of last session will stop it. In our opinion it will be as. effective as the anti-shouting law, mure honoured in the breach than the observance. It would be better for Air Newman and other politicians to perfect the present laud laws before attempting settlement in the Urewera.