Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1894. Land for Settlement Bill.

Manawatu Herald, 18 August 1894, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1894. Land for Settlement Bill.

The above Bill makes no distinction between the North and South islands and places no curb upon the action of the Minister of Lands. If there is a shortage of land in the South island it is the fault of the Liberal party in days past who made such large concessions to the Midland railway company. We do nob approve of the principle if the Bill one bit, so long as the Government own crown lands anywhere within the colony suitable for settlement, as, placing the power to acquire private property for resale in the hands of any Government discourages those who otherwise would penetrate the unsettled districts and open up fresh land. We much regretted to notice that our representative lies under the idea that his constituents ap proved of the measure and that he therefore meant only to move amendments when the Bill got into committee. We believe Mr Wilson would find that the landowners in his electorate do not view the Bill favourably, even with the alteration made this year as to the area allowed to be retained, and there is always the fear that the present Government will not be satisfied with this crippled power, as it is in evidence that the Bill introduced last year contained no area the, owner had power to retain, an/ again it has been made evident that some of their supporters would prefer to- see the Minister have power to take large or small estates as the spirit or his friends moved him. Mr Wilson is estranging many of his strong supporters by his action. Captain Russell has intimated his intention to move amendments by which the hardship of the Bill will be minimised, but the most sensible of the amendments proposed

are those given notice of by Mr Pirani i; Providing that the land to be first acquired shall be that which is unimproved ; that p.hsontee estates ; shall be hext fchosefti and that Highly Improved land shall be taken last of ail.." .We 'do Hot ex^ecj; that the choleric. Mimat'rr' of lianas will accept the amendments aa they go right at the root of the main evil of the Bill, excepting the mistake of taking any private land while there is still Crown land. We need not urge Mr Pirani to test the feeling of the Jtouse drt the amendments as we have full confidence in his determination. _ We Fear this ex.hibitiph ot what Will be termed opposition to the Government will make the path of parliamentary life rather a rough road for the member for Palmerston, but we are pleased to see him justifying his election by the exhibition of some spirit of independence and fair judgement, qualities we credited to him at his election but which he too much hid by a too lavish applause of the 6Bfcs oi the present Government. $he amendments, if -carried, will .do much towards making tlie Mill acceptable to the more honest landowners, and the Government will have a long row to rake before they get to the highly improved properties, which however appear just the land the Minister wants for his pets. We most oertainly hope that Mr Pirani will be sucaessful in getting a majority of his fellow members to see the justness of his proposals.