THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION OBTAINS THE LOAN OF A GRIDIRON. (BY TELEGRAPH.) (FROM OUR OWN REPOTER.) Wellington, September 3.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 9302, 5 September 1898, Page 2

THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION OBTAINS THE LOAN OF A GRIDIRON. (BY TELEGRAPH.) (FROM OUR OWN REPOTER.) Wellington, September 3.

I ho tables on which tho Hon. John M Konzte rolled to destroy Mr Scobio Mackenzie'.* criticism of tho Miuistor for Linda 1 failure to promoto sottlomonl equal to that of his predecessors rovoals * rather condemnatory fict in rohtion to gridironine by a colloiguo of tho Hod. John M'Konzio. In 1878, according to tho t»ble furnished by Mr M'Kaozio, Sir John Hall ia credited with tikiugup 0875 acres, and among other names appearing ia that of tho present Miniator for Edncv tion (tho Hon. W. 0. Walker). This colloiguo of Mr John M'Konzio'a sent In 21 applicuions, aud oolcctod 3109 acro3, or an avorago of 145acrca por application; whllo with a certain Mv A. .] , Walker, the lion W. 0. Walker mido 19 more applications, covering 1425 acres, or an avorago of 7S acres each. So that: a collonguo of tho Minister for Lmds w<»s guilty in 1878 (twonty-ouo yoara ago) rf the very practices ho condemns in Sir John Hall and othors. Tho question is now asked, Why docs not Me M'Konzio resign, and quit the company of his gridironing colleague?' 1 But what shall bo slid of (he Minister for Lands himself, as a present day gridirouer 'i Uaa not his own family 2253 acroa in Bushy Park that was etuveyed into aootion < », averaging 52acros oach, aud ihua excluded from tho soil upwards of forty families. If gridironing wero a crime in 1878 iu tho eyes of tho Hon. John M'Kenzio, how much worse is grfdironing in 1898 when land »8 loss plentiful, and if men a o to bj judged by Hie company they koop thon Mr John M'Kenzio ia no bottor »nd probably no worse than tho Uou. W. 0. Walker or Sir John Hall, tho alleged gridironors of 1878. Will tho Miaialorof Lunds also put i\ map of tho Hon. W. C, Walker's estate in Canterbury into Hansard ? It, howovor, turns otib that tho Hon. J. M'Konzie was a supporter of the Government that permitted this grid' Ironing ho condomns. It was in tho palmy days of tho Grey Government (1878), whon Sir Goorgo Grey wag Promior, the Hon. John Balance Minister of Education, and Sir Roborfc Stood Minister of Lands, that tho " gridiron* ing" took pUco. In those d*ya tho Liberal Government pointed to thoir pro* gresaivo land tiottlemenb with pride, When Mr John M'Kenzio stood on tho hustings in 1881 ho appUuded their land Hottlomont work in 1878, but tho whirligig of time brings many changos, and now Mr John M*Konzlo ia found condemning the settlomonb of tho Grey Govornmont, which ho formerly pointed to as worthy of tho highest commendation*