MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD AND POHANGINA GAZETTE. Circulation, 2,5000 Copies Daily SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 1902. AFTER THE WAR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7315, 7 June 1902, Page 2

MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD AND POHANGINA GAZETTE. Circulation, 2,5000 Copies Daily SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 1902. AFTER THE WAR.

A ruousH canard has been circulated to the effect, that the settlement-of the conquered territory in South Africa will be based upon proposals submitted b/ the Premier of 2N'ew Zealand to Lord Roberts some time ago. As a matter of fact on laud questions Mr Seddon is like a bull in a china shop, and the first specimen of land legislation he has attempted will be an everlasting memovial tn his incompetent handling of the subject, viz , the ballot proposals of last yea;*, which are causing such genuine dissatisfaction amongst boiia tide applicants of land under the land for settli'inent scheme. As a, matter of fact His proposals for settling the land in South Africa are much more liberal than any in force in this colony, and they are. worth outlining. The main points number eleven, and are as follows : — I. .Ueeogm-iou ol pre-war titles to farms. "2 Fixed tenures of land. <i. JS'o back-rent charges. •1. Special encouragements for cropraising. v. Network of light railways to connect farms with markets. 0. Establishment ol an agricultural bureau. 7. Complete irrigation scheme under Giovcrmneiit engineers. S. Facilities to acquire farming machinery. !>. Allotment of suitable uncultivated land to new settlers. 10. Free conveyance of new colonists by Government transports to the Cape. 11. Equal rights to all holders. It is very evident that, they have been drawn up by a master hand, and it is amusing to hear of people seriously suggesting thalT.orcOlilner is likely to learn anything from Mr Seddon on a question of the sort. "We have no doubt that the settlement of the land in South Africa will be an object lesson for the world, because there will only be one object in view, the thorough pacification of the country, and there will be plenty of money arailable without, having to resort to political jobs to attain the objec*aimed, at. There arc few men hying equal to Lord Milner as administrators, and as he will be able to command (ho assistance of men of considerable loca' knowledge, we have no doubt New Zealand will be able to learn many a lesson in genuine land settlement (unaccompamo;l by the difficulties and privations sottlevs h:\vo to endure) from the experience j.—lined in rhe Empire's latest addition lo its territory 4 i-