CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

Mataura Ensign, 25 February 1909, Page 3

CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

THE CANTERBURY RUNS. TEE UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 24. Tho Workers' Political Association has deputed its president (Mr W. J. Bailingor) to send the following telegram to the Prime Minister:— "Tho Workers' Political Association trusts that in the public interest \ou will make further inquiry before letting the Canterbury runs, and so lock them up against closer settlement for twentyone years." To this the Prime Minister has replied: ''Regarding Canterbury runs, I am afraid there is some misapprehension on tho part of the workers, as the great majority of the runs which may bo offered for closer settlement do not fall in until the year after next, that is until 1911, when every effort will be made to see that lands at all fitted for closer settlement are subdivided for that purpose. Regarding tho lands which are to be auctioned at the end of this month, full inquiries have been made, and it has been clearly shown that none of them are fitted for closer settlement. Any fertile areas within the runs were disposed of years ago by the Provincial Government- and at present are held by freeholders, and the Government cannot interfere. You may rest assured that •ill lands lilted for closer settlement will not lie left for pastoral runs."