MR HINE’S RECENT MEETING

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 63, 19 July 1913, Page 7

MR HINE’S RECENT MEETING

[To The Editor Stratford Post,]

y[i' ; , When speaking to my constituents last month at Stratford a question was snhmittc'd hy Mr J. McCluggage, and which question I promised to enquire into; and if the position was found to he as stated hy Mr MeCluggage, to do my best to have the matter righted. To allow your readers to fully understand tiic position 1 first append the original question, and also the reply of the Minister of Lands (Mr Massey). V quote from your paper:—“ln the process of condensation a question asked hy Mr McClnggage at Mr Mine’s meeting on Wednesday suffered to some extent in the Tost’ report of the proceedings. Under the Ward Government applicants for ordinary Crown land had not to produce evidence of means, ['hey were given the land merely on payment of half a year’s rent, and , n some cases even this was not asked for, and money was advanced for improvements-. : In the case ot Land for Settlements land, however, the production of evidence of members has always been insisted on. At the meeting on Wednesday Mr McCluggage asked Mr Mine why Mr Massey had made it impossible lor a man with I a large family and limited means to go on the land; and he stated that in recent regulations under the Reform Party’s Land Act applicants for ordinary Crown lands were called to proluce their bank books and satisfy the Land Board as to their means before being given land. Mr Mine said he had uo knowledge of the regulations in question, hut he would use his best : endeavours to,have, it revoked.”

Xow comes Mr Massey’s memo on the subject;—“ln reply to your en•juiry I have to inform you that J

am not aware of any regulations under the ‘Land Laws Amendment Act, 1912,’ requiring applicants for ordinary Crown lands to produce their hank hooks and satisfy the Land Board as to their means before being given land. The Land Act, 1908, however, provides in clause 108, that the Land Board may ‘in such manner as it thinks lit, inquire into all matters affecting an applicants’ suitability,’ and further, ‘may reject any applicant who refuses or fails to answer any inquiries as to such matters to the satisfaction of the Board.’ ” Now, 1 trust this will be. satisfactory to Mr Mcf luggage and convince him that the complaint he made was groundless, _T am; yours faithfully, ‘ ' J. B. HTNE. Wellblgton, July 16, 1913.