The Ensign. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1909. DIVIDING LARGE RUNS.

Mataura Ensign, 24 February 1909, Page 2

The Ensign. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1909. DIVIDING LARGE RUNS.

There aro a number of largo runs in both Otago and Canterbury the leases ot which fall in next year, and the authorities are considering what is best to be done with the land. The largo runholder has had his day, and the progress of the country demands that wherever possible extensive holdings, whether leasehold or freehold, should lie divided. The squatter has been ol good service to New Zealand and to every one of the Australian colonies. In the early days it was necessary to allow those with capital to take large holding* in order to make use of the magnificent natural grasses to be found all over the country. Had small areas been oll'ered they would not have attracted those with the necessary capital and enterprise to stock and work them But now that the country has beet opened up with roads and railways it is necessary that the large runs should be subdivided into much smaller areas. The size of these should be governed by the nature and position of the country. Rough mountains cannot profitably be worked in anything but large areas at the present time. There must be winter as well a.s summer ground, and this cannot be obtained in limited holdings except in perhaps isolated eases. Hut where it is possible the laud now falling into the hands of the Crown should lie .subdivided into I he smallest area compatible with allowing those who acquire it not only to make a good living based upon the average, price of wool, but also to provide for a reasonable competency in their old age. The country should not ask a man to go into the back blocks to work a mountain run the size of which is so limited that lie cannot make provision for (lie requirements of his family. The runs in Otago *are causing a great deal of agitation among the residents in their vicinity. This is especially the case in the Cromwell district. The difference between the Classification Commissioners and the district residents is that it is alleged that the runs have not been subdivided into small enough areas. There is also an objection made by the present holders that they are not to be given an opportunity of acquiring an area in those cases where the runs are to be cut up. In considering this question care will have to be taken to see that the present occupant has not n very large area of freehold. If his present holding does not take him outside the limitation under the Act there does not seem to be any valid reason for objecting to a present holder htiving an opportunity of securing 0110 of the smaller runs. The man who has worked on the land for many years, and who is therefore already acquainted with the climate and local conditions i.s certainly more likely to be successful than a stranger. Besides it would not be British fail-play to debar any competent settler from applying ami acquiring a holding. At the conference between the Classification Commissioners and the local residents at Cromwell (he Morven • Hills run came under discussion. This had special reference to a certain exchange that had been provisionally arranged. One delegate (says the -levelling Star') declared that- "the pick of the country" was involved in this arrangement, and also stated that he knew of at least five or six families who were eager to secure 100-acro blocks oil the area in question. Another delegate s advice to the Government in respect to Morven Hills deserves candid consideration, to say the least. He could not see why tiiev could not buv M oi'V/ii Hills, us they had dnm* with larger and incomparably more expensive estates in other parts. There was no comparison between grain-growing and shcep-1 arming, and he was quite "satis- , fled that if Morven Hills was all cut up in a proper manner the settlers would do well. He was greatly in favor of the postponement of the sale, otherwise a < petition should he forwarded to the Government to resume the whole run. If these statements will bear investigation the Commissioners should certainly make their recommendations to the J] in ister accordingly. There is always the liability, however, of local people looking with envy on their neighbors' vineyards, and the disinterested expert from outside may be able to see difficulties in the way of such extremely small holdings so far from the seaboard and a profitable market being successfully worked. According to Mr Witty, M.P.', the Canterbury runs are not being divided as they should be. The Minister for Lands tvill require to handle this matter of the closer settlement of the back-country runs with great care. Sir Joseph Ward has an intimate acquaintance with the needs of the settlers and with the capabilities of the mountain runs. He should have no difficulty, therefore, in arriving at a satisfactory decision in regard to their subdivision. In no case should the original area be relet unless it is found quite iniprac- | ticable to profitably cut it up. We look for many settlers to take the places of thfl limited number at present to be found iu the central districts. Hv this means the country's production trill be thoroughly tested, and Parliament may then find it wise to provide the nutans j

for making the land produce in greater measure by carrying a scheme of irrigation into operation. The residents of Central Otngo would then have the opportunity they have so long desired, and would tie aide to prove thai their much-loved province i.s the most tertile in the Dominion.