Tuapeka Times AND GOLDFIELD REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1874. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 399, 14 October 1874, Page 2

Tuapeka Times AND GOLDFIELD REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1874. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

Tiie following paragraph has beon going the round of tho papers, and is a significant hiut to us on our disposal of the waste lauds : — "A petition, praying for tho Legislature to take steps necessary for the resumption by the State (for bonafide settlement) of tho large tractß of rich country acquirocl by capitalists in Victoria, is receiving numerous signatures." If this refers to those lands which have been illegally obtained under tha dummy system, it is nothing but right that tl\© petition bo .attended to and heard ; if it points to lands that have been acquired under the usual conditions of purchase, which we believe it does, then whatever may be our views as to the question, To "whom does the land ultimately belong, we see evils lurking under the movement, xmles3 it embraces compensation for existing rights, and even then we do not like it. But we do not introduce this matter for the purpose of discussing the Victorian aspect of the question, but with a view to consider what lesson such a movement conveys to ourselves, Aa wo hinted in a former issue, the demand for years for the opening of land for settlement in this neighborhood is now about to be satisfied, and we feel it of the utmost importance that the land should be devoted legitimately to the object for which it has beon set apart ; and it is well to bear in mind that what is everyone's business, is no one's business. Should any dummy applications interfere with the interests orclaims of individuals, these may put themselves to the expense or trouble of opposing the same ; if not, no one is likely to be so public-spirited as to incur the expense or the credit or the odium of opposing these on public grounds. Besides, such opposition would bo comparatively uninfluential. Wo would, therefore, recommend the institution of a Vigilance Committee, by whose means all such applications might be opposed with weight and success. When our Wetherstones friends were threatened to be hemmed in by dummy applications, they combined to form an opposition, which resulted in success. A similar organisation, having a similar aim of all the settlers, in the direction of the lands to be thrown open, together with parties in Lawrence, might result in securing that this land bo devoted to legitimate settlement only. Bettor this than allow the land to be taken up illegally, and then, when tho parties had put themselves to trouble and expense to improve their holdings, however illegally obtained, to come down upon them, as Mr. Casey has dono in Victoria, and cause them to diagorgo tlioir.illegally obtained lands, or initiate a possibly too late movement, like that referred to at the head of thisarticle. Preventionis always better than cure. Another lesson we would urgo is : Do not open up the land more freely than there is demand for it. Laud thrown open, especially in Hundreds, area tempting bait for capitalists and speculators, which it is not in human nature to resist. Another lesson, is : Would it not bo better to retain the land in the hands of the Government, and lease it. We may, at some future time, take up this aspect of the question.