LAND SETTLEMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2121, 6 November 1890, Page 2

LAND SETTLEMENT.

The following is the paper on village settlements read by Colonel Eiohbaum at the conclusion of Mr Rhodes’ meeting at the Point- on Saturday evening last ; Mr Chairman, —It is known to many io this town that I lake seme interest in the ma'ter of village ssltlemsßt Beta-mas, and that the working body of this village honored me by constituting me its mouthniece in ventilating tho subject. Up to June last a certain point was reached, when circumstances arose which absolutely precluded mo from proceeding farther in the interest of those desirous of obtaining and occupying small allotments. The st ig® arrived at was only of importance te prove that working men were greatly interested in the eubj-ct. This interest has not died out, and they are only waiting fur another turn of the wheel.' I am certain this question of how to settle the people of New Zealand oe the land will be a test one in the coming general elec- ; tion. It is already attuning a prominence I undream’ of two or three years back. I will now shortly state what was done up to June last. We approached the Land Co., aod a promise was given to further the objects of village s.;t lament. No advance has been made beyond that stage, and in my opinion, afc< »■ instore consideration, it is as well the negotiations were

not proceeded with, ns they would only have ended in disappointment, for it is mors than doubtful whs ther the Land Co. would have met the wn: cs of those desiring small blocks of land by granting perpetual leases at a reasonable rate within the resources and cap bilities of th@ ordinary working man. What ho really require# is sxed tempo ~-f a small block of land averaging from, .y, |) to SO a cm on which he caa est.ihnsh and bring up his family, and winch dining the dull pmt of the yea** he can briim imo cultivation, while during the busy put of the year h« can leave his home and go forth to earn the good cheque of the shearing and harvest, which mostly results to (he steady working man of this ca .my. Now X am no advocate of confiscatory legislation or ]

for the cou.pu:sorjr acquisition of Ui. i on other thait fair terms, but I > ,-.y the time has. arrived for tha mont of New Zealand to uoqiius blocks of l*nd from large ho dam on fair aod eq dtable tarms» and sett e tin-; people on if on such a basis as uu.y ba thought i v Table and best. Sorn. here may aay : ‘ You are opening the door Gr 60UW it>t nuadiary speculation.’ 'iyb . It h s been both done atut tuo, bn: no ra.t r ; for all this can be av ■ by Govoitiriieiu publicly inviting • • from hol'iej and then i : aou'd b een ■a hfii c 'u'ii ha dene. At all «ven't'.

off ris io thi- direction are demands f■ -m our .ot, Bi-iKTS. Tue mind of the G ver - meat b-«s be-n great y oxerci-ed ih- - !«■>■ past yen'h hh to hnw to k< ap th-3 poL'o"',tir'r of New Zeal-tod from leaving its fh-re-*, )8 albo how to content the a*.pirntonß ot its people. Can it be doubted for one momuat what its policy should be? Yon cannot retain the population if not settle it with some prospect for the future, and bow can this be done batter iban b;. settling the people on land which they Aliall consider their own 2 Some wil; aay : ‘They have thair quarter-acre secioue.’ 1 scorn aod scout the idea, Tbes i have never help d the people permanemly iu any way. 'l’hey ware all very well in the early daye, when work was plentiful ana wages were high. Now something morn is wanted. These quarters werj alto adapted for the towns, but we don’t want working raaa confined to towns. Provide til,si wit'- a small block of land which he cao cultivate, and on which he can almost keep his family, and I venture to aay by such a course a Government will b« proceeding in the right direction to create an industrious and contented people. Mr Chairman and gentleman, I could aay much more on this important subject, but I dare not, and it is not necessary to enter into details. It is the principle 1 am advocating. I contend such should be the main policy of tha Parliament about to be elected—the welfare of the people of New Zealand. It is a problem to be norkatloei. I say this problem o£ the occupation of the land by the people should be the platform of every electorate in New Zealand, Every parliamentary candidate should be pledged to this one object, for on its solution depends the prosperity of the colony, and the happiness of living thousands and of unborn hundreds of thousands.