THE PUBLIC SACRIFICED

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8342, 31 January 1913, Page 6

THE PUBLIC SACRIFICED

Amid the Tory rejoicings at Hastings on Wednesday evening Mr Massey made reference to the scandalous land transactions’ in Southland which have so aroused public anxiety. Tho Prime Mi'nlstcr glossed over the subject in a very few words—almost, wo might say, with levity. Certainly, he displayed no evidence that ho appreciates the seriousness of tho position. That would, perhaps, have been too much to hope for, and in these days of what thoso concerned are pleased to stylo “ Reform” administration we havo to bo thankful for tho very smallest mercies. Tho Press Association reports the Apostle of tho Square Deal in these terms: “Referring to tho criticisms appearing in tho Opposition press, which stated that some settlers had got their land at less than its value, Mr Massey said he had yet to receive an official report of the matter, but, ho added, even if a dozen men got their land at less than they should havo done, it was not going to prevent his Government from giving tho settlors of New Zealand what they havo been asking for so long—tho freehold of the land they worked.” We hope this statement has , direct connection with the action of the (Southland Land Board the other day in deferring Mr Brighton’s applications for freeholds which would confer upon him at a nominal price gifts, comprising unearned increment and valuable coal rights, amounting to about £23,000, in addition to the £13,000 and niore that ho has already received. If the Government only obtains an official report and “looks into tho matter” it may be better than nothing. The nature of that report should be made public—for it is the people’s rights and properties that aro being juggled with—and tho

report itsoii ought to he hud in-ioro Parliament- very early in ilie >e>snin. so that the representatives <it the eonsiitueucics may have an opportunity to stay the operation 01 a mischievous and altogether iniquitous enactment. In tlie meantime, we tail to see what Mr Massey can do. Mr Brighton is completely within las rights, and has every moral liberty to insist upon the graining of Ids applications. He has a perfectly legitimate claim upon all that the law says may bo Ids. Mr Massey is, indeed, in a fix. la so tar ns ho is politically conscientious in this mutter, ho is entitled to some pitv. But tho Prime Minister and his friends wore fully warned against precisely tho situation which has arisen. They chose to turn a deaf ear to the warning, to disregard every instinct of caution, and to bind themselves hand and loot with tho strong cords of statute law. The self-styled Boformers are hoist with their own polar. They cannot, either in equity or in law. refuse to carry out tho contracts demanded by Mr Brighton and others similarly placed; and they cannot complete those transactions without incurring tho grave censure of the community. In a word, tlie law under which Mr Brighton is claiming these valuable concessions as a right was framed by Mr Massey.