The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1879. MEMORIAL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 896, 20 June 1879, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1879. MEMORIAL.

y© Beneath th.c rule of men entirely just the pen is mightier than the x\vni\v.

The petition to the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives from the Blacks district (a copy is given below), and which is to he presented, we assume, through the member for the Dunstan District, Mr Vincent Pyke, during the coming session, is of such a character that it must perforce claim the support of all parties—whether squatter, or farmer, those who already have, or those who purpose taking up laud. The question is one of the people, and as our advocacy has ever been on the side of the people, we need offer no excuse for dealing with it, at the same time for recommending it to the earnest attention of all those under whose immediate notice the petition does not come, so that they may give their weight by taking similar action. V itli the particular views expressed by the petitioners as to the debt of the Colony, or the inducement held out to people in the old country to emigrate, wc will lea ve them to light their own battles in the proper place—th; floor of the house. But the other pointH raised -the auction system and the upset price for deferred payment lands, three pounds per acre—assuming more the shape of grievances, demand journalistic comment with the view of inciting popular action towards their abatement. As to the auction system, it is argued by many that it is just and fair, as by its adoption the Government are not only doing the best for their constituents—the people—by getting the best possible price for the land, but are ensuring the settlement of the best class. With neither argument do we agree. In the lirst place we hold that the Government is the conservator of the public estate for the people, mid not the agent of the people ; accordingly, in drawing from their pockets the utmost farthing for the land it docs not act either fairly or justly, nor does it fulfil those functions which it is supposed belong to't. And again, with regard to the settlers, were they enabled to go on to the land at a fair price, with but a moderate lent, they doubtless would make desirable colonists, but with a load hanging on them created by competition, they sooner or later revert to be burdens both to themselves and the State. The system is too suggestive of gambling, of which there is too much already, by land jobbers and speculators, and of its evil effects there is not as yet any conjecturing. Wc do not hold any more with cheap land than wo do with buying it at ruinous prices. Our opinion is a stated value should lie sot on every—not area—but section as surveyed, and that the man who was fortunate enough to be upon the spot when it was thrown open should bo able to got it at that price. Now as to the price set upon deferred payment lands, this is not a question of cheap of dear lands, but one of honesty. The facts arc well known, doubtless, and were stated very clearly by Mr I’yko when addressing his constituents a few weeks since at Tinkers, Clyde, and Cromwell, but as a good story if told truthfully is always acceptable however often repeated, for the benefit of those who do not remember it wo will repeat it. The facts are these : At the time the section in the Land Bill fixing the price was being read, Mr Donald Reid, member for the Taieii, asked if by the wording the price would not he three pounds. Mr Stout, Attorney-General, distinctly said “No,” This was (luring the session of 1877. Yet what do we find—that the price is three pounds, and that during the session of 1878 the Government neither brought up the question, nor, from what can ho gleaned of their intentions for the coming session, do they propose to do so. The question therefore is one of honesty. The House decidedly meant that the price should bo thirty shillings, and as from past experience it is scon that neither the Government nor the House of its own accord will “ Bell the Bull,” it becomes the duty' not only of the Press to agitato, but for the people to clamour to see whether it was the Government or the House that was at fault. Wc have done our duty by so frequently referring as we have done to this question ; we now therefore leave it to the people to do their part. The people of Blacks by their petition have

started the ball, and we but express the hope that others will follow their example, and keep it rolling till it reaches the. goal. To the Honourable the Speaker and the Members of the House of Representatives of New Zealand in Parliament assembled. The Petition of the undersigned residents in Vincent County humbly sheweth— That in view of the vast debt under which the Colony now labours, the settlement of the people on the land is a matter of absolute necessity. That no settlement worthy of the name can be looked for whilst the upset price of deferred payment lands is three pounds per acre. That whilst the system of disposing of such lands by auction, in the case of more than one party applying for the same section, is in force, the Government have therein a sufficient guarantee that the land will fetch its real value. That as one of the chief inducements held out to the people of Great Britain by the agents of the Colony to emigrate hither, was land, good, cheap, and easily obtainable, the Government and people of the Colony are bound in justice and honour to see the conditions fulfilled. That whilst the upset price of the pick of a block at auction is one pound per acre, it is manifestly unfair that the upset price of inferior land should be treble that amount. That we believe that this enhanced price was never contemplated by the Legislature, and we therefore earnestly ami respectfully pray that your Honourable House will so legislate as to cause the mistake to be rectified, and the upset price of all such lands reduced to its former amount. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c., &0., &c.