Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE Cromwell, Monday, Feb. 26, 1912

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLIII, Issue 2286, 26 February 1912, Page 4

Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE Cromwell, Monday, Feb. 26, 1912

I'jrE remarks of our Dunedin morning contemporary iu regard to laud matters can hardly be taken seriously when we remember its attitude on the occasion of the subdivision of Mcrveu Hills and Kawarau runs. In a recent issue, after a visit Glcndliu, and of course hearing one side of the question, that journal endeavors to make out a case iu support of Mr W. A. Scaife's recent application for 610 acres of land at present held under lease by his two sons. But if the appeal had not been so freely punctuated with that convertible " if" th« argument might have proved contentious. The article says "If such an application had been made by an outsider it would SO LONG AS THE LESSEES OF THE BUN ori'EUED no objection, in all propability have been granted," Does our contemporary, or any one else for that matter, honestly profess the opiuion that the lessees' consent would have been granted to an outsider? We have always advocated the cause of closer settlement, provided of course that intending settlers are placed on an equal footing; we admit that Mr Scaife is a good settler; and we arc well aware that equally as good preceded him, and was iu a great measure responsible for the present stale of the Glendhu property ; but we are certainly opposed to the restricted alienation, as in the case under review, of 010 acres of land worth pounds per acre and the pick of the country mentioned, besides its detrimental bearing on the future subdivision of the land. Viewing the application from all points and with a full knowledge of the circumstances we are still of opinion that the Minister did his duty in refusing to sanction the grunt. Our contemporary's remarks savor more of the partisan spirit than the peoples' interest.