EDITORIAL NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1009, 10 March 1909, Page 1

EDITORIAL NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The assembling of nearly 700 persons in Gamani in connection wanted, with the disposal of a a hu.xdhed resumed estate which has kauroos. been cut up into 3d sec-

tions shews how keen is the demand for land on such terms ;is the Government is able to offer, it would have taken 20 properties like Kauroo to satisfy tiie applicants for that limited area ;' but, if there had been such a wide choice the applicants would have increased proportionately. The demand for land in -New Zealand is unlimited, so long as the price is not so high as to leave the holder no hope of something more than expenses. It is said that the rentals lixed for Kauroo sections are quite high enough, and we dare say that they are; but the same has been "said of other properties that have been resumed by the Government, and. yet holders of sections.of those properties-have been able to sell out their interests at a handsome profit. There is reason to hope that Kauroo "will be as successful as those other great settlement experiments which have preceded it, and that those who acquire sections—it is a pity that the whole 670 applicants cannot" do so—will establish prosperous and happy )ioiiies in our midst. Is it not incomprehensible to the stickler for the freehold" tenure that such a multitude should be attracted by the slender chance that the ballot for 33 sections affords to acquire a leasehold ? There are r.ow numerous areas in the Xorth Island the freehold of which may be secured from the State on easy terms. If freehold is so popular—if it is the only tenure that begets freedom and inspires the cultivator to work and produce to the land's highest capacity—then win' do not the landless of the South go to the Xcrth and secure freehold? The liiel is there is not any mania for freehold on the part of men. who desire to make homes for themselves and families. When it is considered that the cry for freehold emanates from the land speculators and agents of Auckland, the fuss about it is not difficult to understand. What cannot be understood is the infatuation for the freehold tenure which is displayed' by southerners who are not connected with northern land speculators except by the tie of a similar political designation—for freeholders are all Tories.. To the ordinary Ministerial hack, inciting a deputation and <li.--tiik posing of it without ]>ki'UTati.oxai:y breaking anything is a akt. fine art. In the earlier days administrators of the Conservative regime made a study, not so much of granting what was asked by importunate colonists, as of appearing to grant it. lir Oanici Tollen 'afforded a conspicuous instance of the saponaceous receiver of importunales who desired to obtain an ollicial position or to get a friend into ;i billet, or to secure a vote for a bridge or a road, or a favor connected with the acquisition of a block of native land. He was familiarly dubbed "Soapy JJan." because he was such e gentleman—he was so endowed with courtly grace and the gift of speech that never failed to act as a lubricant of the most difficult situation. People knew what to expect when they waited on "the doctor," the doyen of deputation receivers. Thev, with their eves open, wen! into the lair" of the sophist, and. while thev were quite wide awake, thev were glamored into believing that thev had secured what they wanted till tluy cot outside, [-'.veil on the stairs, en their v.av out, if thev were asked how thev lied fared, thev would ci'iusivolv de. laiv that they had' been treated 'in a princely fashion, iiut.'iu their attempts to read the .Ministerial heart, thev had not even penetrated the honorable gentleman's broadcloth —for .Ministers were gentlemen in those days of Tory magnificence. Liberal successors of thi'rse amiable despot:, make no pretence of .-,i-ti-stie treatment ot deputations. Since the dav.s of John Hall.uue. Ministers haw some'timce hluntlv said either "Yes" or ".W to requests for obiigemonts, but thev have not been in any hurry about giving elide; to promi.-es. perhaps because" thev have an army of otk.crs who must do 'something. ii it is only the writing oi temporising or ront'tr-iir: memorandum'; ad nauseam, S" as to demonstrate how not to do it. This being the case, Xorth Ctago and South Canterbury must have experienced e.:: agreeable surprise when the Hon. .MiMillar, as a consequence of deputative j representations which were made to him on Monday in (lamaru and on the express' while travelling northwards, summarily granted several important request". Those who asked for the'extra Kurow train were not kept in suspense whilst officialdom held high carnival over their disappointment and impatience, and the .Municipal Council's request [or the vacant sections near Mcek's -Mill and the South Canterbury Co-operative Association's reoreseutaiions in regard to the .siding tit' Studliolme were dealt with just 'as expeditiously. Never before has such practical common sense conduct been observable in a .Minister of the Crown. .Mr .Millar lias scored a record, lie did not even wait till he got to his journey's end. Without giving any indication of such rapid concurrence lie wiped these several'disturbing matters off the .slate, so that his mind might he clear for the .transaction of other public business. This is the only wise course. What is to be done ought to be done a r, quickly as possible. It Is not in accord with the canons of business to postpone till to-morrow what may be done to-day. The man who defers his work is always behindhand and perpetually in a muddle It is the same with members of Governments as it is with individuals. It is far fetter that (hey should let their "Yea. be Yea and their Xay, Xay," and that-when they have decided upon a < ertain course they should pursue it without delay. The accumulation of business in the .Ministerial mind and in the .Ministerial pigeon-holes unfits for work.. Mr Millar has'set an example whirh all should I follow, whether they be politicians or mere citizens.