The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1885. THE RESERVES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1363, 9 July 1885, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1885. THE RESERVES.

In nnr last issue we published a letter referring to the subject of the reserves in this district. For some time past these reserves have proved a fruitful source of discussion. When the Hon, Mr Rolleston visited Geraldine he was waited on by a deputation of the occupiers of these sections and be promised that any petition or memorial which they should present to the Government would receive his support. When Mr Goodey and his followers sent Mr Rolleston a letter urging I bat these reserves should be cut up into 40 or 50-acre sections and working men settled on them, he replied that he fully endorsed the proposal, and had urged it on the attention of Ministers, But we shall not discuss this apparent inconsistency. Probobly the hon. gentleman sees his way clear to assist both the occupiers and those who want to occupy. What we want to direct attention to is the wrong which will undoubtedly be done to the tenants of these reserves if they are ejected from them without any compensation for the improvements they hare made in (he land. Apart altogether from any consideration as to whether these lands should be re-let to their present occupiers or divided amongst working men, or whether they should he let by tender, or by public auction, or according to valuation, stands the subject of allowing for improvements. Whether the present occupiers are to get them again, or whether the working men shall, has nothing to do with this subject, for whoever gets them the need for allowing for improvements will exist. Let us suppose that a working man got a block of 50 acres, on a ten years’ lease : it will be just as necessary that he should get compensation for any improvements he may make as it is tor the present occupiers, No interests clash on this point, therefore ; not even the interests of the Government or (he Education Boards—for unless they allow for improvements they will not have a desirable class of improvements made, 'the policy of not allowing compensation for improvements therefore is a shortsighted one, for the tenant cannot be expected to do anything permanent on land of which be has only a tenure terminable after a number of yean, and gets nothing for any improvements he makes. The system is a relic of Old Country despotism,where landlords have it all their own way, and tenatns are regarded as very little better than wealthproducing machines. When the Hon. Mr Rolleston addressed his constituents in Temuka be said, iu reply to Mr Edwards, that he would be in favour of a measure that would give compensation to tenants tor improvements. Let us hope that he will bear this in mind, and introduce a Bill dealing with the subject, for it is urgently needed. It is not only needed so far as reserves are concerned, but also in relation to every class of tenant, whether Crown tenant or otherwise. For instance, runholders are not allowed for improvements, and it is held that not on y does this result in only very low rents being obtained for the land, but also that it prevents English and other capitalists from coming to this Colony. Sir F. D. Bell a couple of yean ago pointed out this to the Government, yet no steps have been taken in the matter so tar. We trust the attention which is being called to it at present will have the desired •effect, and that before long a law will be passed entitling a tenant to compensation for improramantp.