THE LAND

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 124, 21 November 1925, Page 17

THE LAND

'•Land Logislatiba and Settlement in New Zealand." By W. E. Jourdain. Wellington: Published by direction of the Minister of ■ Lands. / (Reviewed by J.R.S.) New Zealand at one time had a reputation as a land of social experiments. In no department of legislation, possibly, woro experiments made more extensively than in land settlement and tenure. Yet after all these years'we have not obtained a system wheh gives complete satisfaclion. Changes and improvements are still sought. ; If these are to be introduced with, good effect it is essential that their authors should have v thorough, knowledge of what has been tried in the past. In compiling a history of land legislation and settlement in New Zealand, Mr. W. E. .'ourilairi has made the acquisition of ym:h: knowledge easier, and has there-fore-performed a service, of great valuV to legislators, and to all who iivo-. interested in land development and use.' "• Mr. Jburdain's qualifications/ for the task are undoubted. As a solicitor he knows the principles of law and as an ex-officer of -the Land and Survey Department he possesses intimate knowledge of. New Zealand conditions. There arc probably few people in New Zealand, including lawyers and politicians, with an extensive and: exact knowledge of this subject. * •Tho history now published is essentially a useful' work, rather than a monumental treatise. In about fifty pages Mr. Jourdain has given a concise and plainly-worded account of i the methods of. settlement and the forms of tenuro from the earliest times of New Zealand history to tho present day. He writes, clearly and without-, over-burdening his account, leaves nothing-essential unsaid. Having been an officer of various Governr jnonts, but never a politician, he does not. deal with political causes" or effects.. Naturally he would not caro to do so; but ho does introduce brief particulars of the various. Ministers df.'. Land?, how tho early ;if "el .-in (I experience of such men as Johii M^Kcnzie and Ballance influenced their views upon land laws. This portion of the.book should be studied' carefully by all politicians and others who hope to offer useful opinions upon settlement and tenure. • : For the lawyer and. the. advanced student the history referred >to will serve-only as an introduction to the. detailed account of laws passed by the Imperial Government,' the Provincial' Government, and all the administrations that have 'followed. • The account is most complete/ but, being in plain 'terms and Well arranged, it makes a handy work of reference. Its value for this purpose is greatly enhanced by the inebasion of an'index.