VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9241, 19 December 1888, Page 6

VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,l notice that a deputation of members of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, with other gentlemen, have waited on the Minister of Lands, and pointed out the desirability of settling the unemployed on the land, and assisting them to do so. I presume what is meant is to give each man a piece of land on easy terms, and assist him for the first year or two, in order that he may have a fair start. I quite agree with the principle of settling people on the land and giving them assistance, always providing that they are able and willing to work, and that they understand in some measure the cultivation of the soil. Now, before going any further in this matter, I would respectfully advise the Hon. Mr. Richardson to visit all the village settlements, and judge for himself as to how much real settlement and cultivation is going on. Report says there is very little. lam told, and J. have it from pretty good authority, that nearly all the settlers are or have been living 011 Government money or gum-digging since they were located, and are paying very littlo attention to the reclamation of their homesteads. Many of these settlers say that as soon as the labour market improves, they will clear out, as they have enough of village settlement."l am, &c., John Bollard. Avondale, 12th December, 1888.