THE HOMESTEAD SYSTEM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7636, 9 August 1886, Page 4

THE HOMESTEAD SYSTEM.

TO THE EDITOR. SIX, —I see by to-day's paper that Mr Fyke has given notice to tho House that he will ask the what has been done to give Blfcct to the homestead clauses in the Land Act in Otago. Now, Sir, I am, with many more in a like position, waiting patiently and anxiously for this most important system (which has become law now some 18 months) being carried into effect. I am one among many desirous of settling bona fide on the land under this homestead clause. I may add also that I have together with many othurs applied for a grant in accordance with those conditions, and the only answer we got at the Crown Laud Office was that there isno land suitable or available for us. I wish to ask Mr Ballance this question : What would he think of his Government if after conceeding large areas of land to a company in consideration for constructing a railway, and having this grant duly-sanctioned by Parliament, they were to say, when the contract came on for signature, " We have no laud available" ? This U exactly what has been doiio iv the homestead law; and I tell those who are in power, and who ure responsible for this evasion of the just administration of this good and wise legislation, that they are bound iv honour and by the law of the land to see justice done to those who are entitled to participate in this excellent measure. I have read something of the debate which took place in May last, on the motion of Mr Montgomery, asking that the homestaad clause should be given effect to by <rxtuuding the law to the whole of the colony. I am sure that what was said by Mr Montgomery in asking for a return of the lands set apart for homestead occupation was most reasonable, and also that those hon. gentlemen who spoke iv favour or the measure put it very clearly before the House, and urged the claim in a most forcible and plain manner. The worthy and excellent member for Port Chalmers, the Hun. James Macandrew, made a telling speech on the measure which stauds in his name; and if, Sir, we had more men of his stamp in the House, New Zealand would not bo in the position the is on this day, for instead of hundreds of unemployed in our towns, and tens of thousands of acres of land lying in waste and produciug not one shilling to the State—l say in the place of this distressing state of affairs we should have our starving people employed iv happiness and contentment, and our waste places should yield such wealth as would enrich and benefit the whole community at large. But, Sir, I do hope yet that before it is too late we may get a movement to put this state of things right. -And it is gratifying to see that we have still some good men and true who understand what would be for the real interest ■of JS Tew Zealand, and among those 1 have mentioned are the names of Mr Hobos, Mr Fergus, Air Fulton, Mr \V. F. Bitcklaml, and others.

And on the other side are the opponents to the settlement in the person of Mr Stout coupled with Mr Ballance, the Minister for Crown Lands. But apart from those who are desirous to settle under the homestead . system are many who believe in the soundness of the measure. Ouly last evening I had a conversation with a leading citizen of Dunedin, and he said this, and I will quote his own words : " The Government are pursuiug a wrong, poor, and narrow policy. They are, with Mr Stout at the head of affairs, quibbling for a paltry pound or two per acre for their land, or else Mr Stout and Mr BiUlauce are tryiug to force the perpetual leasing system on people who will not take up the land under it; for is it likely that men, small farmers at Home, with little capital can be induced to come to New Zealand, to be again under a landlord in the case of the Crown granting a lease on their land, when they can get grants of land in any quantity in America ? The only way to make New Zealand again prosperous is to extend very largely the homestead system." This, Sir, is the opinion of one of our leading men, who has no interest at all, personally, in the laud question, and this is shared by many in his position. But I have trespassed too much on your valuable space, and the great importance of the question must be my excuse. I shall be glad to hear the opinions of those who are desirous of availing themselves of these grants of land under the homestead system.—l am, &c,

John Plough.

Dunedin, August 5.