CUTTING UP ESTATES.

Evening Star, Issue 12928, 26 September 1906, Page 8

CUTTING UP ESTATES.

CLOSER SETTLEMENT IN. OTAGO. [Fao>i Oun Pabxiamentabt: Rotoeteh.) • WELLINGTON, September.'. 26. " What progress is being made in regard to purchases of .estates in Otago," asked Mr T. Mackenzie of the Premier yesterday. " I don't refer to Oamaru," he ex plained, "but to districts within fifty or sixt" miles of Dunedin. There is a great desire there to see lands ooeoed there." Mr Mackenzie complained that in comparison with other parts of the colony Otago had been neglected in regard to opening up land for settlement. : . The Premier replied that this work of purchasing estates for the Government was carried out by the Land Purchase Board; .that the Government did not attempt to hurry • them '.'. hi " negotiating with the owners.' "In a general wav I can't give the details of the purchasing, but the Land for Settlements Act will be carried out vigorously." . Mr Mackenzie quoted figures to show how little land was purchased and cut up in Otago as compared with the rest of the colony, and added that it must be obvious that the Government had shown | most unreasonable delay. Mr Jennings followed with an inquiry relative to ' purchasing the Mokau Jones Estate in the Wanganui district. >;■ "Tk? Government can't and won't interfere with the-Land Purchase Board," returned the Premier firmly. Should interference be permitted, be explained that the owner of an estate, to buy which pressure was being brought to bear on the Government, would at once put up his price. He went on to correct an impression that there was going to be a cessation or serious abatement in the Government's policy in regard to operations under the Land for Settlements Act. Tho Premier stated that he had never said that. What he had said was that the country could go on purchasing estates to the extent of £750,000 a year without some alteration in the system of our land laws. At a leter stage Mr Bonnet made another plea on behalf of Otago. "In my district," he said, "the Government had acquired one estate, and it is a great success. Another was offered to the Government, and now the owners will cut off and sell the best hvnd at the InVhest price, and the Government will only get the leavings. I hone the Government will take this estate, Clvdevale." That district would support a population of 100.000. affirmed Mr Bonnet. The ground was alreadv fenced and ready for ploughing. "In the past," he said, "the young men and young wonwn in tho south have gone to the North Tsland to get land." Mr Mpssey : We like them; bnt pass the L<-wid Bill and you will scare them back. Mr Bonnet addod that the Premier had said that it was the Land Pnrchaso Board who did the purchasing of the estates. but unless the: Minister moved the Board thev would never move themselves. :'Mr Malcolm said that he had found it TOcessarv to brine before the Minister tV need for acquiring- estates in the Cluitha electorate. "I am entirely satisfied fo far with the activitv he h.is shown and the steps he has taken," said the new member. Further references to the subject were not made.