THE PROPOSED WASTE LAND ALTERATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1124, 21 June 1867, Page 4

THE PROPOSED WASTE LAND ALTERATIONS.

This important question comes on for discussion to-day. Some opposition it will meet with in the Council we are well aware. There are one or two 80-called settlers of this province, who, having acquired large tracts of land, would fain keep out the newly-arriving immigrants and others from acquiring freeholds, except by re-purchasing from them at their own prices. Those few who represent these parties in Council will —perhaps must—raise as violent an opposition as possiblo against the measure of the Government, which is calculated to induce hundreds of men of moderate means, working capitalists, to come here, and settle down upon and occupy the waste lands of this province. It is very well to say that if the Provincial Government ceased to deal in land sucli persons could deal with the native direct. It would not be so. It would be found that such persons,with few exceptions, would be unable to arrange these matters —and then, instead of having the Provincial Government to look to, they would have to buy of a far less generous go-between, the wealthy capitalist. Neither, again, can it be said that there arc no lands to give to such persons. The province holds half a million of acres yet in its hands, is in treaty for a considerable quantity more, amongst which is 70,000 acres of rich agricultural and grazing land near the southern extremity of the province, and there is no reason to doubt but that the natives will be as willing, nay even more willing to part with farther blocks, from time to time, to the Provincial Government than to private speculators. In addition to this, the General Government, we believe, will only bo too glad to arrange with the Superintentendent to hand over the unsold residue of the Waikato, if it can be disposed of to eligible and bona fide settlers on any terms. It has been said, and may be said again, that it will be a losing speculation for the Provincial Government to buy laud to give away to immigrants—but; this would of course depend upon whom it was given to. If the right class of men only rcccive such Jand, then, though they pay not a farthing for it, the Province would gain largely in more than ono indirect manner. We must have the country filled up and cultivated if we aro to progress as a community, to increase our revenue, and advance our commerce and trade. The following are the resolutions which will be brought forward by Mr. Gilfillan today : — Mr. Gilfillan to move, That in the opinion of this Council it ia expedient that provision should bo made, in 11115- alteration of the existing land regulations of the provinco of Auckland, for carrying out the following purposes, viz.: — 1. That porsona emigrating at their own cost, from I tho Australian colouiea, for the purpose of settling on, and lona Jide occupying land in the provinco of Auckland, should be entitled to land orders, in terms of clause C 9 of the Waste Lands Act, 1858. 2. That u bona fuU occupation of two years, at least,of any land selected by holders of land orders should be required prior to their receiving a crown grant. But that any holder of such land order should bo permitted, during tho period allowed for its presentation, or during the period of his occupation of such land, to purchase the same at the rate of ten shillings an acre. 3. That the issue of land scrip to persons possessed of capital emigrating to settle on lands within tho province of Auckland should bo authorised, in the proportion of 10 acres to every £100 of capital shown to be possessed by Buck parsons. 4. That tho issue of land scrip for public works performed under the Highways Act, 1867, should bo authorised, and that one moiety of the land acquired by the eierciso of bucli scrip should be required to be set apart and reserved aa endowments for tho improvement of roads within the highway districts.