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Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 9, 9 December 1862, Page 2

To the Editor of the Invercargill Times.

Sir, — I havo no wish to take part in " a row," or "create a difficulty," but I will.if you allow me endeavor to answer your own "own correspondent's " questions relative to Major Richardson's proposals, as they appear to me to challenge a reply : "1. That in order to secure the finest agrieultu ral land from immediate sale, it is absolutely necessary that lands of a secondary character should be thrown into the market, in blocks of nofc more than 320 acres, in order to afford the means of investment by the farmers of capital who wish to enclose and lay down the land in artificial grasses; and also with a view of obtaining funds for opening out the country, by the formation of roads and by improving the navigation of rivers and lakes.

"2. That areas of the best agricultural land be laid off, with adjacent temporary commonages of an inferior cla=s, and be brought into the market in blocks of from 10 to 50 acres, from time to time, to suit the requirements of small capitalists and laboring men. " 3. That in the disposal of both classes of land before mentioned, it be a condition of purchase, accepted by the purchaser, that £2 per acre be laid out upon the land in the period of two years, and on failure to fulfil this condition.the land shall be taxed at the rate of per acre annually until such condition be fulfilled. A Bill for the purpose to be introduced into the General Assembly, having retrospective effect to the date of the first sale under these conditions.

"4. Tbat with respect to all lands sold previously to the passing of this resolution, the same tax. of per acre be imposed on all lands nofc improved to the extent of £2 per acre within four years of their purchase. " 5. That it is expedient, with a view to encourage Immigration, and to enable Immigrants to obtain not more than 50 acres of land without competition, thafc Government, by means of purchasing certain areas, offord Immigrants the opportunity of becoming the Lessees, with a purchasing Clause, on condition of paying a small annual rent, and of improving the land to the amount of £2 per acre within three years, and in case of the non-fulfilment of the conditions, the lease to terminate, without compensation, at the end of the period." " What is the reason the finest agricultural lands should be secured from sale " Had your correspondent watched the wholesale applications that have been made for land during the past year, he would have fully understood the meaning of the Superintendent's proposal, and have been able to answer that question for himself. The man who applies for 5, 10. 12, or 18,000 acres of rural land, does not want ifc for cultivation, bufc iuvesfcment, and he takes care to secure the " best agricultural lands," as your correspondent truly says, such land "lying idle will scarcely tend to accelerate the progress of the province, or assist in its permanent and material prosperity." It is well known thafc the quantity of good agricultural land, is small in proportion to the pastoral, as much of ifc is too elevated to attempt cultivation. 2nd. " That areas of fche besfc agricultural land be laid ofT&c.'!

_ "Why is the best land to be sold in such insignificant quantities ? " Because it is a well established fact, that such quantities are generally purchased, not as investments, but for tbe purpose of cultivation, and when a man lays down whafc he can afford — probably his all — in the purchase of a homestead for himself and family, Rafter having travelled probably 15 or 16,000 miles in search of it); to him, at least, ifc is not: "insignificant." It is doubtless intended.(and again I quote his own words), "It is quite right to meet the requirements of small capitalists." " Because the "poor man may buy 10 acres, why may not the rich man buy 500 acres if he desires it, and can pay for that quantity ? „ There can be no objection to a man buying any quantity of land, no matter how lavge, providing he cultivate it. Bufc if he purchases it as a speculation nofc for the purpose of increasing its value by well considered improvements, but simply with the intention of enhanciug its price, and making a profit from the funds of the needy immigrant, or the hard working gold digger, then, I say, the sooner the colony is rid of such capitalists the better.

Some years, since, in Canada, the evils of speculations were severely felt — the same system of purchasing land for speculation, in fche vicinity of all settlements (as is now pursued ' in these colonies.) wa3 practised extensively, and although the upset government price was from 1 to 2 dollars per acre, the immigrant seldom obtained it for less than 6or 7 dollars — sometimes more. The government, to remedy the error, coupled residehce and cultivation with the terms of sale, and the speculators' land was soon of no more value than other lands, and they were driven oufc of fche market, and nowin certain districts, land is given to any person ofthe age of 18 years and upwards, who will go to. reside npon ifc, within one month after it is granted, build himself a house, and cultivate 12 acros in 4 years ; such conditions being fulfilled, he receives the Crown grant ; land may also be selected in blocks by parties for subdivision among themselves, afc a very low price ; but if not divided and'cultivated in a given time, ifc again reverts to the crown.

" 3 and 4. In the disposal of land &c." If your corcrspondenfc will refer to Clause 7 of the Otaga Land Eegulations, he will find that rural land has been sold subject to 40s. per acre being laid out in improvements within 4 years, and in Clause 8 he will find that the purchaser is not entitled to a Crown grant till he has complied with that provision. Such being the conditions of purchaso, there can be no just complaint if these condions are enforced ; it is the duty of tbo Government to see that the land is improved and cultivated, and if they havo not fulfilled this, their agreement, it is but jiist that they should be taxed accordingly. If they want a profit from the land, Jet them take the legitimate means of obtaining it, viz : by cultivation. Thafc these proposals are " an act of thoughtless and gross injustice," I deny. Your correspondent ought to have kuown tb»* "tho land roju-

lations"were introduced at the previous sitting of the council, and proposed for the express purpose of obtaining, information relative . thereto that a number of questions were; submitted to both land and runholders, and the result of their experience is doubtless embodied in these proposal. The Superintendent to mo is personally unknown, his beinj* placed in that position would certainly bespeak for him the respect of a stranger, and he has on all ocassions shown himself anything but indifferent to the welfare of that Province, and if your "correspondent" had taken a tithe of the pains that Major Richardson has done to inform himself on the land question, we should probably, have had somewhat less of his "twaddle" upon tbis subject. That the land laws, in that and o»her provinces do, require revision, there is ample evidence, as there is no questioning but that a liberal andjtist laiid code, is the key to emigration, past experience has most clearly demonstrated the fact. Were these Provinces at the present moment self sustaining, how different would be their position relative to the goldßelds, now the principal amount of gold left in the provinces is the merchants profit, much of the gold now goes away in payment for provisions, and the balance too often in the diggers' pocket to enrich other colonies. Is ifc not then for the interest <>£ these Provinces that our legislators should do all they can to promote agriculture and to render the land productive. I ask pardon for trespassing so largely upon your valuable space, and beg to remain, sir, Your obedient servant, Observer.

Invercargill, December 6, 1862,