LAND SETTLEMENT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CII, Issue 11948, 20 July 1899, Page 4

LAND SETTLEMENT.

The annual reports of the Chairman of tie Purchase Board and the SurveyorGeneral upon the operation of the ia.iid. joi' Settlements Act are highly satisfactory documents. It is, perhaps, fortunate that they have been laid on the table of the House of Representatives at a time when the members of that Chamber are engaged in the discussion of a proposal to enlarge the purchasing powers of the Government. It will be remembered that when Mr John M’Kenzie introduced his first measure for the acquisition of private estates it was greeted with a chorus of denunciation from the Opposition side of the One member after another got up to warn the Minister that if his policy did not bring about an open revolt, as it probably would, it would land the country in hopeless financial difficulties. But the experience of six years has shown, that these gloomy predictions were entirely unfounded. Even the Conservatives themselves have been constrained to admit that the purchase of land by the State for settlement purposes is a perfectly sound and legitimate proceeding, and the reports we publish this morning show that it is a very excellent.investment. Tho money expended in this' way now amounts to £1,250,647, and ' after paying £53.862 for roads, surveys, and, adnunistra? tion,.it is yielding a return of 4.8 per'cent, and the arrears of interest reach only £2958. The record is a high tribute to the foresight and intelligence of the. Minister of Lands, and everyone who am divest himself of party .prejudice will hope that Mr M’K.euzie, of whom we publish good news this morning, will be spared for many years To administer his beneficent policy., : .