The Tuapeka Times. "Measures, not Men." SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1868.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 5, 14 March 1868, Page 2

The Tuapeka Times. "Measures, not Men." SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1868.

Unquestionably the most hopeful and encouraging feature which the Goldfields present, is the large extent of land leased, for agricultural settlement. We do not undervalue the importance of gold mining, or the benefits it has conferred upon the country, nor do we take a desponding view of its present state or future prospects. We know that it has in a great measure peopled the country, that it has imparted an impulse to trade, to pastoral and agricultural pursuits, which could scarcely have been derived from any other industry; and we believe that it will continue to afford remunerative employment to thousands of men for many years to come. But still, in the readiness the residents on the Goldfields have displayed in availing themselves of the limited facilities for settlement afforded them, we see a certain indication of a prosperity more solid and permanent' than the richest and most extensive auriferous deposits could ensure. Adam Smith, the father of political economists, in his great work the " Wealth of Nations," —a work which has, perhaps, been productive of more matarial benefit to mankind, than all other uninspired books put together —remarks, "That the capital employed in agriculture not only puts in motion a greater quantity of productive labor than any equal capital employed in manufactures, but in proportion to the labor it employs, it adds a much greater value to the annual produce of the land and labor of the country,: while it increases the real wealth and revenue of the inhabitants." Widely as the economic conditions of this Province differ from those of European countries, a century ago, when the great philosopher recorded the observation, we may find in the

ever asklx ■RSshas test succeeded in the ££ ago, began f-ming^m many Les without any ca P lta |, s^ steono- and willing arms, and habits of Sdustry and economy, many are now in possession of affluence, and XortSlin positions of comparaUWe comfort and independence; Xc of those who, at the same wnue v in many Sed by all the advantages of Sntcv If again, we should enquire IKp answer would again te the &SS settlers Agrioulto Xleofferißg fewer of the splendid prtooffetane than commerce or S^fectures, holdsoutaprom^e rf Ji earlier and more certam comitocTw an y other md f try - then, that the most proSitfeture which the Goldfields SSt is the large extent of land C &r agricultural purposes.

We have no statistics showing the extent of land already leased, but judging from .the most reliable accounts from the other mining districts, we believe that there cannot be much less than 40,000 acres applied for. If we consider that perhaps nine-tenths of this area has been taken up under the fifty-acre system, and that it has been in operation little more than two years ; wjien we take into account that its effects have been greatly circumscribed by vexatious and expensive restrictions imposed by the regulations drawn up by the Provincial Government; and "worse than all, that applicants have been disgusted by the delays and. blunders arising from the insufficient number, the inefficiency and negligence of the officials entrusted with its administration, we may expect much greater results would follow the adoption of a more liberal measure, more promptly, efficiently and liberally administered. To the General Assembly we must look for any modification of the Act under which leases are issued — but a matter purely Provincial, a resolution of the Provincial Council, proposing any alteration, would in all probability be, as a matter of course, allowed to pass into law. As the Council meets in a short time, it is of great importance that the residents on the Goldfields should bring any modification considered desirable at once before the notice of their Representatives. The clause in the present Act which most requires to be altered is that which limits the area to be taken up under one application to fifty acres. It is plain that farming in this country cannot be carried on, unless under great disadvantages, on so limited an area; and the Provincial Executive, recognising this, connive at an evasion of the law by allowing one individual to make several applications, embracing in all not more than two hundred acres. Independently of the objection there exists to an evasion of an Act, however unjust or unwise, and the connivance at such an evasion on the part of the authorities, and the doubt whether the General .Government will, at the term of the leases, readily grant to the lessees who have taken up more than fifty acres, the right of purchase at the upset price, the expense of each application, renders it extremely urgent that the area which may be covered by one application should be made considerably larger than it now is. We see no reason why the charge at present made for the lease and survey of a fifty-acre application, should not be sufficient for one of four times the area. We think that the maximum area to be applied for should be increased to two hundred acres, as thereby there would result a great saving to the applicant, who would, instead of as under the present system, having to pay £40 for an area of that extent, have only to pay £10, which would, we think, cover all preliminary expenses. Our space does not permit us to touch upon the regulations issued by the Provincial Government; but we intend, at an early period, to return to the subject.