VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9242, 20 December 1888, Page 3

VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sie, —Is it right that the- Auckland village settlements alone in New. Zealand should be written of and spoken of as charitable institutions ? In every other province they have been welcomed as a wise system to aid in developing the resources of the country, and are spoken of with pride and satisfaction. As a matter of fact the village settlements were a noble attempt on the part of Mr. Ballance to make amends for the neglect of his predecessors. Anyone reading the debates of 1878 will see that the most solemn warnings were given by Mr. Stafford, Mr. Fitzherbert, and others against the immigration of people taught only to look to public works for employment. They insisted upon ib that the immigrants should be largely people accustomed to a country life and suitable for settlement in thejf country. Failing that they foresaw a congestion of the towns and the creation of much misery when the public works expenditure ceased. Mr. Stafford insisted upon village settlements at every eight or ten miles along the lines of railway, and even urged the -Government to take at the then valuation all private lands through which railways were to run. These wise precautions were neglected. Railways were not only run free of cost through private lands, but in many cases the owners received large compensation. The Government have thought lib to call the roads made through Auckland special settlements "Relief works." The name should be repudiated. They are less works of charity than the making of roads and railways through private lands. Nor are the facilities given to these small cultivators in other ways at all greater in proportion than the advantages offered to holders of large sheep runs, to enable them to settle in early days. As charitable institutions they will be avoided by many who would make the best and most desirable settlers.—l am, &c, F. J. Moss.