The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Ressurexi. THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 1884.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4860, 7 August 1884, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Ressurexi. THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 1884.

An abundance of local self-government has frequently been the theme of strong inveighing in these columns. We have on many occasions complained of the " too muchness " of this luxury which has been granted to the people, and bare en* deavored to point out the unhealthy effects which have arisen, and are still likely to arise, from an appetite for local bodies being gratified to satiety. Having to submit to things as they are, and not being able to hare things as they should be, compels an acceptance—no matter how unwilling—of the former, and the only resource left is to make the best of all provided. One of the many " fearfully and wonderfully made bodies in our provincial district is the Waste Lands Board ; one which has considerable power, and can very materially interfere with the chief asset the colony can show, viz.: its lands. This corporation is constituted under a most improper system ; instead of being—as it should be—elective, it is a nominative body. When it is considered that the interests it has to deal with are of vast importance to the people, it certainly ! appears rational that the people should hare some voice in its constitution, and this they have not directly. The various influences which exist in connection with the colony's acres demand that this little taken notice of body should, in the matter of appointment, be entirely in the hands, of those most concerned, and not left to any Ministry, no matter how immaculate its members may be. The land and its distribution, settlement, and general government will one day prove a source of much trouble here, as it has done elsewhere, and the many scandals known in connection with dealings regarding it, should in themselves cause the people to insist on having proper representation on those Boards, which, under the present system, hare such alarming power in disposing of it or otherwise, as they so list. The colony has in the past suffered rery sererely from improper transactions in connection with the people's heritage; nearly half New Zealand's available acres hare been dealt, with in a manner far from —to put it mildly—desirable, and what remains should be carefully tended to the adrantage of its rightful owners—the people. The nominee system in regard to .the Waste Lands Boards must, therefore, be abolished, and that of election take its place, so as ensure popular representation and a chance of fair and honest dealing with our possessions. Until that even tuafces, we can only sit still and take as they come the carefully filtered blessings that may fall to our lot. In the meantime, however, there is a vacancy existent in the Auckland Board, and as the whole country from Cape Colville to Te Aroha is entirely unrepresented, we would, with all respect and due modesty, suggest to those who hare the power, To nominate a man who knows, something of the district embraced, and who is likely to see justice done to the important interests inrolred. We don't " demand as a right," because such a proceeding would probably meet with a Gorernmental snub—we simply ask that the wishes of Jhose most concerned should be consulted in making the appointment referred to, and leave it to the generosity of those who hare the reins of power to show us at least one favor.