MINISTERS IN MARLBOROUGH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1095, 24 February 1893, Page 36

MINISTERS IN MARLBOROUGH.

(by telegraph.—own correspondent.) Havelock, February 18. The Minister of Lands arrived here at 12,30 p.m. At 2.30 p.m. he received a deputation from the Pelorus Road Board which represented to him that a large portion of the Rai Valley, and also tho Tuamarina, Havelock, were unsettled. The Minister thanked the deputation, and expressed himself desirous of having the land opened for settlement. He believed that one eight was better than half a dozen reports. Too much land was locked up at present. He had eeen bush land on the North Island burnt down equally as good as the Rai Valley. He was determined to have the country opened up as far as possible. With reßpeot to the vacancy on the Land Board, he will try and get a local man appointed. He approved of their being elected. It wa9 quite impossible for the general Government to take charge of all the local boards. More people were wanted settled on the land. A million pounds would be needed to meet all the requirements. A deputation was received from the Pelorus Sound settlers, also the spokesman deputed from the Rai Valley, when resolutions wero read as passed at the late public meeting and already published. The Minister repudiated the Idea that the land should be locked up for an indefinite period. Havelc ck, February 20. The Hon Minister of Lands and Native Minister visited Havelock on Saturday, and were enteitalned at a social in tbo Town Hall in tho evening, Mr C. H. Mills, M.H.R., being in the chair, Mr Buiok, M.H.R., being also present. The usual loyal toasts were duly honoured. In reply to tho toast of ‘ The Ministry of New Zealand,’ tho Hon Minister spoke of the health of the Premier and how the whole of tho Colony sympathised. Tho Government had

been two years in offue, and it took fully 18 I months to repel tho at'aoka of the Opposi- j tiou. He had formed a favourable opinion of the district. What had been done at the I Nelson end should be done here. If the j people do not settle on the land everything will languish. No rash promises would bo made as to the fu'ure. When the present Government took office people were leaving the Colony. Their effort bad been to stop the exodus, and it had been stopped. The Government had relieved the bone and sinew of the country of the undue weight of taxation and they had placed the burden of taxation on those best able to bear it. It would be a good thing for the Colony if the Government could secure a few more estates like the Cheviot. They would meet the House for a third time with a surplus. The people must be self reliant and be independent of borrowed money. The evils of large estates In the Old Country were exemplified. A whole county had been ruled by one individual in Scotland. Must the same evila exist here ’ The Government wished the people to have every facility to settle on tho land, and it was opposed to large monopolies. He (Mr McKenzie) had travelled for two days in Otago on one man’s estate. In Canterbury the land had been grldironcd into large estates, which could only be got at by buying them. Full payment should be made to those who own the lands. He expeoted the young men of the Colony to perpetuate the policy of the Ballance Government when they leave office. Mr Cadman, in returning thanks, said according to the Conservative press the present Government had inaugurated a Socialist policy. The exodus had ceased, and the Government are aocused of making New Zealand a dumpiug ground, whereas very few applications have been made by those coming from Australia to the Labour Bureau. Under the co-operative system

every man gets paid according to his deserts. The Government also had done away with the truck system. The Labour Bureau by exercising its powers judiciously had been proved to have been really beneficial. The Labour members of tho Upper House will be found to have as much brains as the average. Mr Ballance had proved himself an able financier. Mr Buick, in responding to the toast of his health, thankod tho company for the manner in whioh ho had been received, and stated that when be first appeared here he hardly kuew what the House of Representatives meant, but the people had reason to be proud of it, no matter what their political opinions were. Ho paid a compliment to the members of tho Opposition, as he believed they were all actuated by honourable motives. Mr Price, iu responding to the toast, 1 Looal Bodies,’ said he hoped that direct oommunioation would soon be opened between Havelook Bed Pioton, via Mahaklpawa. The remaining toasts were:—‘Prosperity to the District,’ coupled with Mr Erskine ; ‘ Our Visitors,’ ooupled with Mr John Kerr ; •The Pross,’ ‘Host Carter,’ and ‘The Chairman and Vice-Chairman,’ all of which wore duly responded to. Great credit is due to Mr Carter for the capital spread provided.