The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning. Tuesday, November 25, 1890.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 536, 25 November 1890, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning.

Tuesday, November 25, 1890.

Be just and fear not; Let all the ends thou aim’st at be thy country’s, Thy God's, and truth’s.

As Captain Russell and Mr Arthur have both been airing their pet fads on the native land question, each talking as though he had full authority, we would direct their attention to some very sensible remarks made by Mr Mitchelson. That gentleman has been speaking to this effect:—“There are ten million acres of native land, chiefly in the North Island, of which four million acres was good settlement land, the balance being only pastoral. The present Government were endeavoring to follow the example of the late Government by acquiring native lands in suitable places for immediate settlement, but there were many difficulties in the way. The natives . were disposed to think that the Government were not offering them as high prices as they could obtain from, outside purchasers. The Government, however, considered that it would be unwise to allow any large blocks of land suited for settlement to pass into the hands of private, speculators, to be doled out again at fabulous prices to intending settlers. They considered the first duty of the Government was to obtain the land at such a price as would enable settlers to pay interest upon it, and make comfortable homes and live without getting into difficulties. He thought it a great mistake that the colony had ever abandoned its right of pre-emption. As regards the King Country, the Government had been frequently urged to withdraw the proclamation from it, but they considered it would be unwise to do so. They had already spent large sums on the central line of railway, and it had opened up a good deal of country. As' this had advanced the value of the land, the Government considered that whatever value had been given to the land ought to belong to the State, and not to any private persons who now wished to acquire land.”