THE Wairarapa Age. MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1909. AT LAST

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9613, 6 October 1909, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age. MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1909. AT LAST

At last a number of prominent Masterton citizens are taking an-active interest in the important question of closer settlement. Frequently when land settlement is discussed the one idea that comes into the mind of the. brief thinker is settlement of land by compulsory means, but there are, for various reasons, more excellent ways of accomplishing what is an unmixed blessing for the community as a whole. The business men of Masterton have hitherto shown but little interest in the question of promoting land settlement, but, as we said, there is a decided change in their attitude becoming apparent. Let it be admitted from the cim mencement that there is a good deal that is repulsive, though it may be justifiable under exceptional circumstances, in setting in motion the compulsory machinery clauses of the Act. Moreover, apart from the ugly (proposition of compelling a man to sell against his will property of which he is rightfully possessed, there is the well-known fact that it as a very,risky financial venture for the Government, as a rule, to resume estates.compulsorily. Of course "bad deals'' are never admitted by the powers that be, but when the (Government wrests possession from the private individual the tendency is to pay too high a price for the land resumed. But, putting on on<3 side altogether the compulsory clauses of the Act, there i 3 no doubt that much could have been done, and that much can still be done to promote closer settlement in the Masterton district. Energy, a watch • ful eye, and determination will produce success. From time to time largo estates have been in the market, but golden opportunities have been allowed to pass unheeded. It is useless, and worse, regretting the mistakes of the past; they should only be remembered in so far as they are useful for purposes of correction in the future. Times are duli in Masterton now, and the outlook is not particularly bright. If progress is to be maintained, if the growth of the town is going to be at all commensurate with the fertility I and. productive powers of the surrounding district, then it is the citizens of Masterton who will have to display the necessary energy and interest to arrive at the desired goal. The Government, in the matter of closer settlement, have, of course, persistently neglected the claims of M istertor. Various reasons. a.re a.<J-

vanced for the of the neglect, but whatever the true reason may be there is one fact abundantly clear, viz., that, practically, rothing has been done. We hope that the day is not far distant when the newlycreated Land League will be able to point with pardonable pride to the accomplishment of Suable work.