THE LAND PROPOSALS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 174, 23 July 1907, Page 3

THE LAND PROPOSALS.

INTERVIEW .WITH THE PEEMTEI

(By. Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.

WELLINGTON, this day.

In conversation With Sir Joseph Ward, a representative of the Auckland "Star" mentioned that some members of the House did not approve of the proposal to let land under the Land for Settlements Act by tender. They feared that land hungry people would tender too high, and would find, themselves in trouble laier on.

The Premier said that he did not think there was any reason for alarm. Cabinet had considered the whole matter very carefully, and had arrived at the conclusion that the tendering system would 'be the best. "It has to be remembered that the land to be dealt with under the Land for 'Settlement Act is improved land generally suitable for agriculture," said the Premier. "The people who apply for that land will not be of the same class as the people who apply for the endowment lands to be let under leasehold or for the balance •of the Crown lands' to be disposed of under the optional tenure. It is from the endowments and the Crown lands that the largest number of people will get holdings in the future. " The men who want land tinder the Land for Settlements system will be farmers or the sons of fanners with a little capital, and some knowledge of farming, and these men are capable of deciding what the land is worth to them. There is a certain amount of danger in taking up the high priced lands now, but it will be no greater under the new system. The applicants for a section will satisfy themselves as to its capacity and producing power and tender accordingly. The auction system would be far more dangerous than the tendering system, and the ballot system has been proved by the experience of men who have become absolutely broken hearted in their endeavour to get land, to be absolutely unsatisfactory. Under the circumstances the only course open seemed to be to give the tendering system a trial.

In conclusion Sir Joseph indicated that he had been pleased with, the reception accorded the three bills which embody the Government's land proposals. "There have been compromises," he said, "but all parties seem to be fairly well satisfied. Cabinet studied the whole position very fully, and did what aeemed best in the interests of the colony as a whole from all points of view."