The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1888. THE MINISTER OF LANDS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1828, 13 December 1888, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1888. THE MINISTER OF LANDS.

Two hundred and eighteen men applied in Auckland to the Minister of Lands for work, bat his answer was that in a few months all would be well, because then there would be plenty of work. “ But,” said one of the men, “ the horse starves while the grass grows,” ‘‘l admit that,” was the laconic reply of the heartless Minister,” “but I hope before long there will be plenty of work,” and that was all the satisfaction they got. Then came a deputation of the Charitable Aid Board, urging that it was wrong to throw on the Board the keeping of men who were willing to work. They held that the men wore quite willing and able to work, bat there was no work for them, and it was not right to support them out of charitable aid. The proper way to deal with the unemployed, they said, Was to extend thevillaga settlement system inaugurated by Mr Ballance, and place the administration of it in the hands of local bodies, But the Minister was obdurate. Neither the unemployed nor the Charitable Aid Board were able to do anything with him. Mr Carson, who came as a deputation from Wanganui to Wellington recently, reported to the Chamber of Commerce on this return borne that be found Mr Biebardson “ a perfect stick, He conld do nothing with him at all. The first subject on which he spoke was ss to the better advertising of land sales, bat he coaid not see it, and tbongbt the new maps he bad got oat were quite sufficient. As to the future—well, people could bay for themselves, and be did not think it bis duty to lead them in the way of settlement.” No, of coarse Mr Biebardson does not want to advertise the land ; be only wants to let the select few who can get the maps know abont it, Mr Richardson’s policy has been all along to play into the bands of the speculators, but be is carrying it too far, and with too high a hand.