MR M'KENZIE’S SPEECH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 9431, 4 June 1891, Page 5

MR M'KENZIE’S SPEECH.

FURTHER COMMENT. [rßOar otns own coseh spondent/I WELLINGTON, June's. : The following appeared in the Ne». Zealand Times this morning on the subject of Mr M'Kenzie’s speech:— The preliminary portion of Mr M'Kenzie’s Seech ig not new; his statements of the iniaterial administration during the recess, and of the Government policy now forming, having been, in the ordinary course of events, largely anticipated. The greater portion of the speech, which deal* with the administration of Mr M‘Kenzie*e' own department, covers new ground, and is a triumphant categorical' vindication of most of the things Mr M'Kenzie has done.; No Minister charged with the settlement of public lands could have passed over the transfer of 15,000 acres in Canterbury, contrary to the intentions of the Legislature, No Minister with a spark of sense of duty could have failed to bring to the; notice of the Wellington Laud Board the 744 selections with two or three residents,; and 195 settlers, who have partially com-; plied with the conditions. In these latter matters Mr M'Kenzie has established hie; cose heavily against the Wellington Land Board. But HIS CROWNING TBIUStPH was the detailed reply to Mr Spence, of. Invercargill. The permitted of the Croydon sawmillers, the impudent monopoly of forest reserves, the improper sale of forest lands at one-fifth of their' value, the total neglect by the rangers of their duty these things, which, are proved up to the hilt, make us wonder ftt Mr M'Kenzie’s moderation in simply removing Mr Spence when he might have dismissed him. The appointment of Ranger Campbell, of which so much has' been said, turns out to be the very beet' that conld have been made. The documentary evidence is so clear and full that' nothing more should be heard of Mr Spence, at all events. Along the whole* line of administration there is Abundant! proof to sustain the Minister’s action. Looking to the future, we congratulate Mr - M'Kenzie on having determined to recognise the freehold principle in

THE LAND BILL he is framing. The main principle of that measure, we gather from his speech, is that a choice of all the tenures, from cash 1 freehold to settlement leasehold, will be offered to intending settlers. Mr M'Kenzie has proved (1) that he has dona right; (2) that the Land Act must, in the interests of settlement, bo amended; (8) that the amendments he is devising the main, right in principle.