The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. SATURDAY, DEC. 19, 1891.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3032, 19 December 1891, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

SATURDAY, DEC. 19, 1891.

Equal and exact .lustinu tn all tm'n, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

No Euglisb. statesman of modern timesgivespromise of greater things than Mr Bali'our. He is a man who has never sought either popularity or personal gain. He is also a man of decided views and has the courage of his opinions. Neither subtle denunciation nor applause seem in any way to influence him in pursuing the even tenor ef his ways. In his administration of Irish affairs Mr BaLfeur has shown a far larger capacity to deal with the disturbed state of affairs in that unhappy country then any of his predecessors, From being an unpopular administrator he has gradually, without seeking it, won his way in public favour until ho has recently been elected as leader of the House of Commons. His speeches are always eagerly read, not only for the clear insight ho has into passing events, buUilso for the polished stylo of his diction. He is no doubt the coming man of his party. On a recent occasion, we leant by cablegram, that Mr Bui four h:ul stated wliilo a.ldro.sMiig a public meeting, that tho Government iutended to introduce j a Dill, providing for wmnll holdings j in tho country, in order to prevent the populate in tins rural distrieis Hocking into the tlio towns. This is a subject of v.-ry -veat imporl;un:e not only f" thu iMoiher Countrybut also to all p:irls of her colonial possessions. In this colony, indeed, it is the all important question. To secure permanent and «raf.iually increasing prosperity in any country it is necessary to have an agricultural class winning by patient industry wealth from the soil. Jiotli political parties are fully alive to this tact, and greater facilities aro now ~!T,-n-d for people to take up land tkm .it, any previous tiuio in the

history of tlio colony. It is sound policy "u the part of any <i.>vernment to niiilco t J IO m a fariiior as attractive and prolitable as possible. There are of course many c ireu instances incidental to the life (if ft farmer over which no Government can exercise control. Tho tluctualion of tho niarkot and the riv! and fall of prices ot farm produce are it is quite clear outside inlliienceswhich cannot be provided against 113 , any legislation. There ■■ire however many ways open to those in authority 1 .0 encourage and luster tho farming industry, ble land can bo thrown open for M'ttleinent at reasonable prices and cheap transit for produce can bo provided. AVo have ofton advocacated tho carriage of produce at practically nominal charges on our railways soiiicthing sufficient to cover the cost of haulage and we are more than ever convinced that this is one of the most important factordiorthooffectiveperaanentaud prolifiible sotlloinent of tho country Wlicn it is found that a comfortable living can be made out of fanning, w<! .shall not long have to lament the fact that people cannot be induced to go upon the land. On the other hand, can it be any matter for surprise that people will not take up land in the out districts, when under the present system of railway administration there is a graduated tax levied upon settlement for each mile it is distant from the port,

Mr Balfour has advanced the only true and statesmanlike course for relieving the congested population of the cities. Many men who fire now hanging about street corners listening to mob agitators iiud railing at the land laws would soon change their political opinions when once actually engaged in working the soil. It has boen objected to placing people on the land, that it is cruel to do so, unless they have some experience in their calling. Experience is no doubt as desirable in farming as in other walks of life, but we have all to buy our experience in the world's market. Surely it is better for men to be actively engaged in the work of agriculturalists and gaining every d iy more experience and more confidence in themselves than standing idle in the street of a town, and listening to socialistic views from irresponsible teachers. No (Jovernment can render a greater service to the colony at the present time than by effectually drawing the surplus population on suitable areas of land in the country.