Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1895. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5019, 7 May 1895, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1895. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS.

Tub Tmiptfai Thne.i states that there is much discontent in connection with the working of the Advances to Settlers Act in the district, and several instances are given of refusals where there was apparently ample margin. The Hon. Mr Jjiunach is said to have despatched a strongly-worded telegram to tin: Superintendent of the Advances to Settlers Ollice, stating that applications sent from the Tuapoka district have been absolutely declined, and no reason given for doing so. lie specially mentioned one ease in which an application was refused on land worth more than double the amount asked for, There are other similar cases, he states, in this district, " Should not the reason of refusal," asks Mr Larnach," be stated by you ? it would notlcsscn the dignity of your department to do so." Here wo have a cloud no y„„ c ;'than a man's band, which threatens to overwhelm the colony ill connection ffith this measure. This thin cud of tlio wedgo " political inlliieiici!" is already at work, and tlio lending Iwit'd is threatened openly, Borrowers undof fdie measure go to their representatives and remonstrate with them if the advances tlioy expect aro not conceded, No lending board ought to bo compelled to state its reason for refusing any proposal, and if the Government Board be put in this position, the responsibility of protecting the interests of the Colony would rest, not upon the (shoulders, but upon politicians of Mr Larpph's stamp. Mr Lavnacb is supposed to bo a business man as woll as a politician, but he must have put his Jmsiness instincts entirely upon one side when hoponued his sfcrougly, worded' telegram to the Superintendent of the Advances .to Settlers I Office. It was a giW impropriety t which, no doubt, will be* in a Government supporter, and jo will impair the usefulness of the measure and the independence of the Board administering it. The Board cannot advaneo too much money on good securities or too littlo on doubtful ones. Mr Larnach litis do right to pose as' a self-appointed valuer to the oflice or to in any way influence the issue or non-issuo of a loan. If Mr Larnach's interference 'bo al. lowed,theActhad better be amended

by an additional clause declaring that all proposals recommended by members o? the House of Representatives be deemed to be good securities. ! Probably there is not a member in the Houso who luis not been approached by a constituent to assist in obtaining some concession under this measure, but Mr Larnach is the first legislator to openly use his influence to force the Board into accepting securities which it does not desire to take.