TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3130, 5 March 1909, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

THE PASTORAL LEASES. The great majority of the pastoral leases do not expire until 1.911, and befoa'i ithat time the whole position should he carefuJJy investigated by a commission of independent experts. The members of the Land Board, who are naturally concerned for the man in possession, a'e not likely to be more zealous for subdivision next year than they are this year, and the public must rely upon the Government looking afte.- their interests, says the "Ly.ttel on Times." Sir Joseph Ward has had plenty of notice of what is required of him, and he cannot plead again that he has had no time for inquiry. The subdivision of the pastoral runs in 1911 should give a new impetus to land settlement in the Dominion.

THE BLANK SPACES

It is for the Imperial authorities ar.d the Governments of the Commonwealth and of this Dominion to formulate a plan for settling on the land and training the surplus thousands of able-bodied and willing workers who are at'present unable to obtain a decent living in the Mother Cmntry, remarks the "Hawera S;a--." It cannot that it is impossible to utilisa the brain and muscle of these unemployed thousands in tilling aiad bringing Australasian acres into {.rjfitable cultivation. The natural resources of these Antipodean countries are practically unbounded, and if white populations are not found to develop them, we shall iiave ourselves alone to blame if hereafter we are obliged to uncomplainingly watch the Eastern hordes usurp the territories, which unquestionably should be reserved for future generations of our own people.

FIRE INSURANCE RATES

It is understood that as a result of the recent conference of managers of the insurance companies, representaj tions have been made to the Government with the view of having an adjustment made (involving increases in some classes of risk) in the schedule of rates. The companies urge, it is stated, that profitable business cannot be done on the present basis. The Premier has stated that if examination showed that business could not.be carried on under present conditions without a loss, the j State Fire Office should have to increase 1 its charges on some lines. The State Fire Office made a loss last year. As, however, it is understood that its present position is much more satisfactory, it is considered doubtful whether Cabinet will agree at the present time, at any rate, to the suggestion of ihe companies. The question will probably be considered by Cabinet next weelc.