THE ADVANCES TO SETTLERS ACT. TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 54, 31 August 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE ADVANCES TO SETTLERS ACT. TO THE EDITOR.

Sp — The 'disclosures whioh leaked out during the early part of the session relative to the working of the above Act betray a very anomalous state of things with regard to its administration. Out of the £1951 reoeived up to the 31st March from misled settlers, the sum of £761 was grasped by the salaried officers, whose operations appear to be confined to the cities where their self-, satisfied appearance frequently attracts the eye. To those who have had the responsible duties of valuing the numerous securities offered in the various parts of the colony, and whose travelling expenses muet have amounted to something considerable, we find the miserable allowance of £221 doled out to them. It is rumoured that they have even been docked of a portion of the moderate fees fixed by the schedule to the Act. It appears a case of the drones sucking the honey while the workers toil in the field. If my memory serves me right, the intention of the Act was to place all the valuers on an equal footing, and that good reliable men might be induced to offer their services th«y would be placed in the position of salaried officers. I would ask where does the equivalent usefulness of these resident valuers come in for the large salaries they receive P With the exception of a few flying visits through the country at the expense of the Department they remain in the towns, and it. the towns there is nothing they are called upon 'to value. If it were possible for thorn to inspect each country security offered and thus be a check upon other valuers, I could understand where their services would p*rove useful, but that they could not accomplish and if they could there would be no necessity for employing othew. Thi.s oheap money scheme is a measure srbioh could be made a great boon to the iMttlem of the colony. On the other hand, from vts very nature it is open to fearful risks whioh if not carefully avoided may end in loss and failure. I think it goes without saving that the success of the measure depends entirely upon wise and careful administration, and to that end there can be ao more important function in connection with its ' working than the duties of estimating the true values of the securities offered. I venture to Bay that the constitution of the Board is a Secondary consideration to that of the valuers who should be men of ripe experience, sound judgment, and of irreproachable oharacter, as on their ability and honesty depends the very life of the scheme. I am, &c, Obsebvzb.