PURCHASE—A FAILURE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8189, 2 August 1912, Page 6

PURCHASE—A FAILURE

“It was the present Government which gave final assent to concluding these purchase*. ’ Mr Massey.

The public are not likely to be much interested in the little dispute between Ministers past ami present m regard to which set of men can properly claim credit for purchase of the properties known as Sherenden and Mount Ncs sing. The general idea is most likely to oe one of irritation at seeing this policy of “finding land for settlement’’ by purchase continued. Experience has shown us the futility and danger of this device. Six millions of money for which the national credit stands pledged has been expended under the scheme, we have by this means made provision for four thousand settlers to use the soil and traffic in “goodwill” —and the land question presses more heavily than ever before upon the community and Parliament. As a solution to the Land for Settlement Act is not worth serious regard. Indeed, tho result of its operations has been so entirely vicious that the sooner it withers away into disuse and the politicians become alarmed at tho load ot debt its administration imposes upon the people tho better. Some glimmering perceptions of this were revealed by the Ward Ministry, and the reports of the Land Purchase Board showed that the scheme was reaching the end of its tether. Now we have a Government in office determined to proceed with a “spirited administration” of the discredited Act, and all the machinery is at their hands by which this can he done. That the great landowners will benefit materially by such a policy is obvious. It is equally certain that no one else will. Part of the Government's plan is to sell for cash the present divisions of resumed properties, and with the proceeds buy up more land, thus, as we are told, “turning the money over and over again.” Apparently we are going to get still more experience. Undoubtedly we are going to pay heavily for it. What attitude tho present Opposition proposes to take towards the purchase system we have no means yet of knowing, .but the most useful course to follow *wil, bo to admit its complete failure and fight for a public policy that will relieve the State of an obligation unwisely undertaken, and throw upon the owners themselves the task of subdivision and disposal.