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New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6821, 27 September 1883, Page 5

Sometime ago the Rev. James Macgregor, of Oaraaru, dcliveied a course of lectures thereon " The Lund Question, with Special Reference to New Zealand and Old Sootland." Under this title two of these lecturis have been published as a pamphlet, a copy of which we havo received. The printing is badly done, which gives the pamphlet an unattractive appearance, aud ao the arrangement of the pages before heiDg printed is wrong, the reader is left bewildered at several places until he succeeds in hunting up the vagrant pages, eo as to enjoy the continuation of Mr. Macgrc-or's argument. The author is opposed to the absolute alienation of the land, but if it had not \ie=n the expectation of obtaining a freehold, few would have cared to come to tho colony in the early days. Mr. Macgregor dwells nearly wholly ou the paet. Mr. Macgregor "dwells very much upon the breaking up of the Highland clans after the futile attempt; of "Prjnce Charlie" to restore the Stuart rule. He is also very much grieved that the Highland glens are not filled with men, instead oi sheep and cattle. No doubt, the owners of the land find that cattle raising aud wool growing is more profitable than usiug the land in the way Mr. Macgregor desires. The present age is au utilitarian one, but many people do not readily adapt themselves to the changed, which moderu times require. Ho mourns over the fact that the B'gulanda have not increased iu population in the same proportion as the whole of Scotland, but if lie .examines the statistics: ;more carefully, lie will probablyifind. ; that the : population of the v northern ; ;;:counties of Scotland.. have increased ininearly the oame proportion as the other. : rural districts of Scotland. The great increase of population has taken place in the town 3. That is observable in England i aa well as in Scotland. Mr. Macgregor puts I in a strong plea for Scottish girls, and thiofes every man who wishes to tie prosperous and happy should take one of them to wife. If Scottish girls were ouly choeen for wives, what would become of English, Irish, and other girls 1