THE STANDARD. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1873.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 36, 19 March 1873, Page 2

THE STANDARD.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1873.

** We shall sell to no man justice or right: We shall deny to no man justice or right: We shall defer to no man justice or right.”

The people of Tauranga are setting us an example of activity ; and seem to be in earnest in endeavouring to bring about a more correct state of affairs with respect to the management of their waste lands, and the settlement of immigrants and small farmers on them, on the principle of deferred payments. Mr. Sheet seems to be the leading mind in this direction; who, at a meeting (whose characteristics — “orderly, practical, business-like and brief are seldom witnessed except when it is in earnest) submitted a series of resolutions for its consideration, with a view to them forming_ihe basis of a memorial to the Eton, the Defence Minister. Without expressing any opinion as to the Minister for Lands being the proper medium of communication with the Government, we should heartily like to see a similar movement afoot in this district, and we, throw out. this one more suggestion for the people’s; acceptance.. The months are flying by; the convocation of the Assembly will soon be upon Us; and the method of any action we may take (which, t<x be successful, should also be unanimous)

must receive the calm deliberation, which its importance demands, at the hands of alj. * There is no question just now, at once ’so comprehensive and important, and so calculated to improve the condition of a district, the admiration of all who visit it, as are those to which we desire to invite speci&T attention. We need not feed upon tile hope that because Mr Ormond has succeeded so well in getting the foundation of ,» plan laid ufHawke’s Bay. andas the Governments of that Province have always exhibited a friendly feeling towards us, that therefore we need not fear. Our safety lies in our own action first; in shewing to the Government -that We desire to increase our community; by drawing their attention to the fact that’it i’s their duty to attend to our wants, and. to advertize the facilities that we have for prosperous settlement. The exceptional position of lands on this Coast demands that the colony should help us from our difficulties. The .finest lands in the district, are being taken up for sheep-runs, and the boundaries of settlement are being extended at a rapid rate. There is (plenty left though, -and to spare, but they need the fostering care of our local and General Government and the fulfilment of promises made by the present Ministry, in inaugurating and carrying out the Public Works and Immigration policy. It seems to us that with the prospect of the Patutahi block coming into the market it is eminently a convenient season in which to demonstrate the personal interest we have in deciding the principle upon which lands, limited in area and admirably adapted for small holdings, should be alienated. Let it be emphatically expressed and plainly understood that valuable as sheep, runners are in their vocation, they must give way to population. Myriads of sheep and cattle running over our waste lands will never make them valuable; nor will they improve our roads ; build our bridges; support our telegraph; increase our revenue; and bring steam and railway communication to our doors. But, happily, it is not a question of population versus sheep. There is room enough for all. The Town, (which may be said to represent Trade) Agricultural, and Pastoral interests are separated, it is true, but identical, in that each requires a special development. It is not class interests we would advocate, but a recognition of all; and of the necessity which compels the holders of land on uncertain tenure to give way to permanent settlement. The settlement of some long-out-standing blocks under the Deed of Cession, next month, will put their owners in a position to deal with their lands ; and we conceive there could not be a better application of both effort and money, than for the Government to take the matter in hand; let it lease some of those from the Natives, with a right of purchase; sub-lease, also with a right to buy, on equitable terms,and locate thereon such a proportion of the incoming settlers as we have a right to expect in return for the increments of taxation, which we are complacently submitting to, without, at present, any corresponding benefit.