PUBLIC OPINION.

Pahiatua Star and Eketahuna Advertiser, Volume 1, Issue 12, 20 July 1886, Page 2

PUBLIC OPINION.

[We do not hold ourselves responsible for tho opinions expressed by correspondents] PAHIATUA VILLAGE SETTLEMENT. (TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l had an idea, although I maybe wrong, that no legislation could bo m ule retrospective, but fnsn the rejsirt of the meeting convened by Mr Mocks v in your last issue it appear* it can. It distinctly states in the regulations made by an order in Council of May 6th, no ler which the applications for the i'ahiatua Village were received, that one acre shall bo cultivated within two years; but the Steward states that according to later instructions than those published one acre must be cultivated at once. Now, sir, I take that to he retros|>ective. It does not seem right tliat a man who reads the published regulations and applies under them for a section should be compelled to comply with a regulation not in existence at that time. Of course one might be told that a beneficent Government will lend him money to fell with at fire per cent, but i« it not pnesible that a man is in some |>enuonciit employment, and is unwilling to borrow if he can help it, and by staving in his employment for another year may save enough money to pliable ium to live wliile ho doe* his improvements himself.—l am, Ac., Patsau.