THE LAND POLICY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5475, 2 January 1905, Page 2

THE LAND POLICY.

LAND SETTLEMENT ASSOCIATION FORMED. At a representative meeting of young New Zealanders residing at Kaikoura, Marlborough, on December IPth. it was resolved to form a Young New Zealander-' Land Settlement Association, which it is hoped, will extend to all parts of New Zealand. Officers of tho a-ssochl-lion were elected as follows;—Mr T. Laseelles, treasurer, and Mr Walter Gib son. senr.. president and secretary.

The following platform was then unanimously adopted:— First, to vigilantly watch over the disposition of tho Crown lands by tho Government, and to vise every effort to promote the settlement and proper utilisation of Crown lands and tho reading thereof. Second, to make every endeavour to induce the Government of tfie colony to acquire largo freehold estates on tho voluntary principle, save and except whore any such estates are likely to bo cncbaneed in value by tho construction of Government railways or any other public works; and in the interests of tho .State where any largo freehold estates are not being utilised to tho fullest capacity; also to try ami retard in every possible manner the purchase of any such estates when unduly inflated in value by an abnormal value in produce, as such purchases are likely to bring ruin on settlers and additional burdens on the taxpayers of the colony. Third, that young New Zealanders in all parts of th© colony bo invited (through tho press) to join our organisation and form branches of tho Young Now Zealanders’ Land Settlement Association, and communicate with our Beevotary. re was next unanimously resolved that tho following resolution should at one© be telegraphed to tlie Minister of Lands, via.;—“That the Young New Zealanders’ Laud Settlement, Association is of opinion that the recent proposed subdivision of the Woodsidc Run, containing, about 12.8G0 acres of good pastoral Crown lauds, is another of tljo many attempts of the Marlborough L,md Board to promote land monopoly at the expense of tho people of the colony, to whom the Crown lands belong, inasmuch as the setting aside of so largo an area as 5000 acres for a travelling-stock reserve (where a small one only is required), and leasing it by auction, inevi■.tably secures it - to adjoining land owners, who already possess 10,000 acres of freehold along th© sea frontage of tho Wood'side' country ; also that the reservation of 5400 acres for tho growth and preservation of timber —where ho timber exists, except a- little useless light, scrub in the gullies—is another veiled attempt to benefit the same landowners at the expense or tbo landless youth of New Zealand. Our association, therefore, respectfully requests the Minister of Lands to intervene, and me bis prerogative to protect tho interests of the people of New Zealand, to whom tho Crown lands belong, and, furthermore, .to have th© Wood-id© country subdivided into small gracing runs, with a small area reserved for travelling stock, which would amply suffice for that purpose.” A deputation, consisting of Mr James McGregor and Mr Walter Gibson,. sent-., was appointed to interview the Minister of,Lands in Wellington; Mr Evans was requested to endeavour to form. a branch of th© association at Cheviot; and with tho usual complimentary vote to the chairman th© mooting terminated. ' ' -