“The Press” In 1865

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30678, 18 February 1965, Page 12

“The Press” In 1865

February 18. THE WAIKATO SETTLEMENTS We don’t believe in Mr Newman's scheme, because we know by long experience that schemes like these always fail. As to the sale of £200,000 worth of land a year in a small valley of very poor soil, that, is in itself absurd. That the Waikato will become settled some day by a thriving population there is no doubt, but a good many things will happen first A very large number of the immigrants so rashly introduced into Auckland will leave for other places and so many only will remain as the capital introduced into the country in private hands, can employ in labor. To keep immigrants in a country by public works is a vain speculation, for the sums I employed by Government in public

works form but a small part of the whole wages fund of any country, and the smaller that part, the healthier the community. But the Waikato, though very poor is a very pleasant locality, and will become a favourite spot in New Zealand. In three or four years from the present time its connection with Auckland will probably have ceased. It has a very fair harbor for vessels of light draft, some three or four days nearer the Australian ports than Auckland. The town at the mouth of the Waikato will be a place of considerable importance. But all this will happen when cut and dried schemes are abandoned, and the place has colonised itself simply by the sale of land. At all events we , hope the General Government will wash I their hands of it in toto.