SPECIAL SETTLEMENTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3787, 16 April 1891, Page 2

SPECIAL SETTLEMENTS.

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The Minister of Lands lias received the following letter from Mr Jobn 0. Mowbray, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of Palmerston Nortb.dated April Otb, 1891 : Instructed by the Chamber, I have the honor to inform you that the following resolution was passed at the meeting held on Friday last—- ' That this Chamber is of opinion that the creation of freehold is essential to the financial interests of the Colony, and that regulations preventing the acquisition of freeholds are prejudicial to the prosperity of the colony.' I may say that the question was very fully discussed by those present, the meeting being an influential one, and that the above resolution was carried almost unanimously, there being only one dissentient reported here to day that yoeMotena' visiting Palmarston shortly to hear the views of the various associations. Will you kindly inform me if that is correct, and also what date has been fixed (ii any).' To this letter the Minister has replied as follows: —'l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant with resolution passed by the Chamber of Commerce on the sub • ject of the recently published regulations relative to farm homestead associations and village home steads. Your letter at the same time intimates that the questions were fully disousßed by the meeting, which was an influential one. In the first plaee I would ask you to be kind enough to furnish me with the v names of those gentlemen taking part in the discussion, as it is necessary for me to know the class of men interesting themselves in this question. The Chamber seems to be under an entire misapprehension regarding my opinions on the subject of freeholds, as I have no deßire to prevent, and there is nothing to prevent any person from aoquiring a freehold under the ordinary land laws of the Colony, but Ido say that the granting of speoial facilities for settlement by the State can only bo justified by the result of actual settlement "on the land. The history of the past clearly Bhows that whereever opportunity to acquire the free*,. hold is afforded settlement has not ■ taken place jon the contrary, the ■ land has been sold for speculation purposes, thereby defeating the .objectof any speoial facilities that may have been granted. I may say that I hope to be able to visit Palmerston shortly, and will be glad to fully discuss the subject with any delegate or delegates you may appoint for the purpose."