The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 1888.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2491, 28 June 1888, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 1888.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

Theke avo a few private members' Bills introduced during the present session of Parliament which are of considerable importance, though they have not attracted the amount of attention that should be bestowed upon them. In the presence of graver and more pressing questions that immediately affect the financial position of the entiro people of the colony, all other matters have been put somewhat in the background. There are, however, in the Bills wo allude to, great principles involved that bear in a direct manner on the well-being of the people, and with whose interests they are closely identified. Amongst these measures of a domestic and reformatory character is one introduced by Sir George Grey, entitled the Land for Settlements Bill, which has passed its second reading. In many respects the main features of the Bill avo apparently basod on the principle of the Allotments Act passed last year by tho Imperial Legislature, and are intended to provide for the occupation of the laud in the shape of farm and cottage allotments. Sir George Grey's proposals are that power bo given to the Governor to purchase or otherwise acquire lands, either belonging to the Crown or private owners, for the purpose of setting them aside for settlements. Local bodies may proceed to create these settlements, and may procure rural lands which can be sub-divided into farm allotments, or suburban and town lands for cottage allotments fixing their value and price, conditions of lease on quit-rents, and terms of Cottages may be erected on suburban lots, and leased on certain conditions. The Bill gives power to boroughs to purchase as endowments land acquired under its provisions, and rural lands may be set apart for town sites and reserves.

When we wrote the other day about tho disposal of the four thousand pounds held by the Borough Council of Hamilton, originally intended for the erection of a pile of public buildings, "but which that body are now perplexed how to use, we suggested the advisability of utilising the money, or part of it, in creating small farm and cottage settlements on the unoccupied lands in the borough, or to enter upon some such scheme with the Domain Board and Waikato County Council. These proposals were not favourably regarded by those who still have a lingering fondness for the Public Buildings idea. It is well that we can fall back f»r support upon the action of such a veteran statesman as Sir George- Grey, whose Land for Settlement Bill is an elaboration of the scheme in its full bear-

To elucidate the provisions of the measure itself, we will quote in. extenso the principal clauses, which refer directly to the object of the Bill. Clause 3 provides that for the purpose of forming settlements under the Act, the (rovernor, from time to time (1) may take Crown lands, or may contract with any owner of private lands for the purchase thereof in blocks of such area as he shall think fit, at any price not exceeding the valuations made of such land for the purpose of the Property Assessment Act, or (2) take under the provisions of Part 11. of the Public Works Act, 1882, as for a public work, any private land held under Crown grant, subject to compensation to the owner. Clause i provides that the Council of any county, or any Eoad Board in a county wherein the Counties Act 1876, is suspended, may make recommendations to the Governor for the purchase or acquisition under this Act of any rural land suitable for farm allotments. Any Borough Council may make similar recommendations in regard to suburban lands in its vicinity, or town lands suitable for cottage allotments. If the Governor thinks fit to accede to these recommendations he (Clause 6) may authorise the Colonial Treasurer to issue land bonds for the purchase of such lands. The succeeding clauses provide the manner of purchasing private lands tho subdivision of rural lands into farm allotments, valuation and purchasing price, the dealing of applications for lease, and the conditions attached to the applications. Clause 10 stipulates that no applicant is to become the lessee or holder of more than one allotment, or of more thau 320 acres of any land, either under this or any other Act. Clause 17 provides for advances to holders for the purpose of erecting homesteads, purchase of agricultural implements and provisions for twelve months, the amount so advanced to be added to the capital value of the land, and secured as a first charge due to the Crown, Clause IS, with subsections and following clauses, refer to quitrents and conditions of forfeiture. The yearly quit-rent per allotment shall be a sum equivalent to a per centum ou the purchase price of the land, including cost of survey and department expenses. Valuations for improvements are allowed in the terms of lease. The above provisions, in respect to farm allotments, apply in very much the same manner to cottage allotments under the control of boroughs, who may erect cottages on such allotments, and (Clause 24) apply the general funds of the borough for these purposes. Clause 27 states that the Borough Council may at any time acquire the grant of any land purchased at its recommendation, and may apply the general funds of the borough for such purpose, The Bill is far-reaching, and,

should it become law, would prove a valuable auxiliary to tin; permanent settlement of the country l>y inducing working niuu ;uid people of small means to forsake the allurements and precariousnoss of city life for the wider sphere of the country, where they would he afforded greater facilities for building comfortable homes for themselves and their families. It is only by liberal inducements of this description that we can expect to find fresh population coming amongst us, and helping us to fill up the desolate wastes that surround us. The fear is that Sir George Grey's .Bill will not successfully pass through all its stages, in which case the session will end without any other effort being made to assist immigration and the settlement of the country.