LABOUR VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9134, 16 August 1888, Page 5

LABOUR VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE.

A VOTE OF £-25,000 TO BE PROPOSED. [BY TIILEGRAFU.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Wednesday. The intimation of the Premier that he will place £10,000 on the supplementary estimates for Labour Settlements is looked on by Auckland members with mixed feelings, inasmuch as it is pretty well known that these Labour Settlements will only be established in Canterbury and Otago, and are intended to make provision for keeping a supply of labour handy for the Southern runholders. It seems that the labourers only get labour for a given portion of the year, and have trouble in maintaining themselves during the rest of the year in the vicinity of the largo runs. By this scheme the labourers will be kept handy when wanted. I hear that unless similar provision is made for the Northern special settlements some of the Auckland members will make matters lively when the votes come up for discussion in the House. Major Steward has taken great interest in this matter. In the interest of the unemployed class in the South and other di?tr. ; ?ti», Juo desire was to get £25,000 for his project, but he accejsfefd the £10,000 as an instalment to begin with. Major Steward's-per-tinacity has won its reward.

Latkr. I learn to-night that the £10,000 which the Premier has agreed to place upon the Supplementary Estimates for Labour Settlements is only agreed to conditionally for the purchase of land in default of its being provided by the Grown Lands Department for the purpose. The Minister of Lands, I hear, has expressed his belief that- he will be able, through the Public Reserves Bill, to find all the land necessary. I understand that a sum will be placed on the Public Works Estimates for the Northern Special Settlements, not specifically to be spent on them, but made available as a contingent reserve, pending; the personal visit of inspection of the Minister of Lands to these settlements. The sum so set apart is a substantial amount, and I think this will satisfy the Auckland, members. Mr. Hobbs gave evidence to-day before the Public Petitions Committee respecting the Village Settlements Scheme, and read letters from village settlers desiring to get a freehold tenure. I learn the report on the petition from Auckland will probably be brought up to-morrow.

Latest. The other day a meeting of Auckland members was held in relation to asking for £10,000 for the promotion of the Village Settlement scheme. A deputation consisting of Messrs. Thomas Thompson, Moss, and Colonel Fraser, was appointed to wait upon the Premier in reference thereto, and he stated that he would refer the matter to the Cabinet. Late to-night he informed the deputation that the Government proposed to set apart £15,000 for Village Settlements throughout the colony, in addition to the £10,000 for Labour settlements.