SMALL GRAZING RUNS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10681, 30 July 1912, Page 4

SMALL GRAZING RUNS.

Mr A. W. Hogg is not the only person in this district who is surprised at.the statements made by the Wairarapa deputation which waited upon the Prime Minister lasf week in reference to grazing run?. It lias been under stood for months past that several of the grazing, runs in this district were to be sub-divided and tin-own open for- selection. -Nobody apparently rrises the question of the propriety or the legality of the action of the Land Board until there is-a change of Government. Then the member'for the* Wairarapa introduces a deput-vtion, and Mr Ma-rsey think' it questionable whether the Land Beard is entitled to cut up these -properties:., and promises to consult the Grown Law Officers on the subject. It appears that Mr Buchanan was quite justified 'in accompanying the deputation to Wdlingt-cn, as cite or, more of his.' ocr.lstituents are -reputedly interested -in the runs. But it is significant that Mr (i. R. Sj-k.es, M.F., in whose electorate the -runs are situated; did not form part of the deputation, although lie was in Wellington on the very day .that tltc Premier was interviewed. Mr Sykes is, («f •course, ..strongly in favour of closer set'Ucme.'nt, and he knows tliat some of-these .grazing runs are admirably adapted for -sub-division. We do not bkune the settler!:, interested in seeking to secure a renewal of'thdir tenancy ; but we do maintain that- the Land Board is acting in the interests of the country, and clearly within, its legal rights in throwing the.i' 3 lands open for public selection. The question is not one of individudity, but cf public policy, and. Mr Mas«ey will be consulting the best interests of his party and : of the Dominion if he accepts this view of the ease.