CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 441, 25 February 1909, Page 7

CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

THE CANTERBURY RUNS. ; A ; (BY TELEGEAPH—rRESS ASSOCIATION.). Chrjstchuroh, February 24. : v The Workers' Political Association deputed ■its;; president; (Mr. ;W. J.. Ballinger) to Bend the following to the Prime Minister: /yihe., Workers',-. Political .Association trusts' that -in - the/public . interest you will malto further inquiry before -the' -letting 'of .the Canterbury runs, and so locking them up against oloser . .settlement for twenty-one yearsj" _' 'j- .- To thiß the Prime Minister.has replied:— ''Re Canterbury runs. . I am afraid there is "some : misapprehension on ; the part of '.the workers',; as the. great majority, of-the-runs which may bo offered for . closer settlement do not fall in:until tho. year after next, that is, until 1911, when every effort will, bo made to' see that; lands at_ all fitted for closer setlenient' are subdivided for that 'purpose. Regarding the lands which are to be auctioned' at.the end of. month, full inquiries havo; been made, and it has been clearly shown that nolle of them aro fitted for closer-settle-, mont. Any fertilo areas within the runs tfore disposed; or years ago by the provincial Gov.ernment, and 'at present are hold by freeholders, and the Government cannot interfere. You may rest assured that all lands, -fitted atall''for.';.-'closer settlement' will not be let for. pastoral runs.—-J., 6. .WAItD. 1 ' The ; Stratford Hospital advertises for a trai&?d. nurse. : -