THE LAND QUESTION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 354, 9 May 1874, Page 3

THE LAND QUESTION.

• .{To the Editor.) Sib, — That a move in- the-. direction of further " big sales " of purely pastoral land will shortly, be made has been pretty clearly demonstrated by the clever author of the ten years pastoral leasing system, and chairman of the Pastoral Association. In addressing the electors of the Mataura lately, Sir F. D. Bell "let the cat out of thebag." Any one -who has read his speech can clearly see that a supreme effort .will shortly be made by the squatters to possess themselves of all the land remaining unsold in tile province. Assisted Ljr the friendly action of successive Provincial Governments, they have beautifully paved the way to this consummation by purchasing judiciously selected blocks of level land, knowing full well that by so doing they were virtually securing the key to the remaining thousand? of acres of hilly or mountainous country.' Can it be that the Superintendent's ■recent notification of the completion of " the classification of ' pastoral and agricultural lands " is merely clearing the decks for action in this direction ? . Its appearance at this time is to say the least ominous. The results of the policy pursued in the past are every day becoming more apparent in the up-country districts. A decreasing, or at least a stationary population, a diminishing yield of gold, no new mining works undertaken, and generally a state of stagnation are some of the fruits. It is well known to the most careless observer that instead of sharing the prosperity of the town and seaboard, generally the up-country districts are deteriorating, partly as a result of the railway policy so favorable to the former ; partly on account of the Maerewhenua case imparting such an element of uncertainty -into all mining ventures; 'but chiefly on account of the lands being lockod np from settlement. It rests with our Provincial legislators to remedy this sad state of affaire, and if they don't do something this session, it appears highly improbable they will ever again have the opportunity. I humbly think the true tendency of matters has never forcibly presented itself to the minds of a majority of them. • I will try to point out some of the more salient facts, from which they can draw their own conclusions. In the valley of the Molyneux there are about 20 runs almost adjoining each other, of an aggregate area of 'over one million acres, on which there is not a'single resident holder. These runs are each superintended, by a manager, and economically worked by a few shepherds and two or three odd hands, and altogether employ a permanent labor staff of a few score individuals, in place of the thousands of population the same hind would maintain in comfort under a wiser system. It is true that for a few weeks during the shearing time a considerable number of nomads make their appearance ; but, as a rule, they cannot be considered to add much to the prosperity cf a district. Now, the condition of things above described will, I believe, apply to the province generally, although perhaps not in such a marked degree as in the district under consideration. Talk of the' result of Irish ■absentee landlordism. Why it is good, beneficial, kindly in its results as compared with the gigantic squatting monopoly so carefully fostered, sd diligently nursed and protected hj the Provincial Government of Otago. And yet people rave about " the boundless resources of New Zealand " and " the glorious -future of our adopted country," ignoring or forgetting that under the present administration of affairs the utmost limit .of its prosperity has .been attained. The country is fully stock. -....., Kailwayi are even spoken of to those waste

places where a man can now ride for a day without seeing the face of his fellow, or a sign of human occupation, jf you except an occasional wife fence. In a speech delivered by the Superintendent at the opening of the Deborah Bar tunnel (a speech by the way which could only be meant to tickle the fancy of a town au'limee, tis in the country, where the facts are known, it has been the subject of much mirthful jocularity.) ' His Honor' gave a brilliant picture of the future railway to the Mamototo Plains, and grow eloquent in describing the splendid fields of golden grain to be grown in'that locality, so eitensiveindeed as to be a principal item in the traffic of said railway. Shade of Baron Munchausen ! imagine the dry, arid, gravel flats of Maniototo producing "golden," or for the matter of that any other grain. All the world is aware that interwoven with the plain business-like feature of our worthy Superintendent's mind there exists a " golden " thread of poetry — I had almost said of romance. This latest political utterance is, I submit, a striking commentary on the sincerity of the Superintendent and his- advisers in their alleged efforts to promote settlement. — I am, &c, ABGUJS.