TOUR OF THE MINISTER FOR LANDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2301, 7 April 1898, Page 24

TOUR OF THE MINISTER FOR LANDS.

The Hon. J. M'Kenzie, the Minister foe Lands, delivered a political address in the Afchsnseum Hall, Tapanui, oa Saturday even^ ing. There was a large attendance, the hall being full. Mr Alexander Masoa (the mayor^ presided, and ths folio sWag gentlemen occupied se?.ts on the platform-. — Hon. W. J. M. Larnacb, C.M.G, M.H.R., and Messrs J. Shearing 1 , John Edie sen., Alexander Ross, John Edi^ jun., John M'Farlane, William Sinclair, William M'Kay, and James Sim. The Minister spoke in defence of the Govern* menb's policy and administration, and the de« livery of his address occupied nearly two hounr. He made special reference to Pomahaka, stating that in Wellington anything would go dowa concerning Pomahaka; but here, where &11 knew about it, matters were different. The property was now paying 4 per cent, interest and in a short time would pay 5 per cent. Reference was also made to Bushy Park, and the statements mede respecting ib in the press were specifically contradicted. Other matter* dealt with in recent addressee were also referred to, and the land question was gone into extensively. Mr M'Keuzie stated that during the first six years of the present Administration there had been purchased for settlement purposes 2,260,000 acres of native lands at & cosfc of £568,000, 49 private estates comprising 155,800 acres at a cost of £699,929, not including the Cheviot, and settlers had been placed on the under settlement condition at the rate of 2023 p6B annum, their holdings averaging 212 acres. There j" had been constructed 1600 miles of dray roada i and 1400 mile 3of horse tracks at a cost o£ , £1,058,000. As to the future policy, nothing was indicated beyond the statement that moro lacd miwi be acquired for settlement on pay* menfc of its fair valuation, and that in all matters re'afcing to the development and settlement of tha country there must be vigorous administration. The country settlors as well as the workers in tha cities, he claimed, had every reason for confidence in the Government, and if they approved of the policy of the Liberal Government he urged that they should not hand over the administration to the party who had opposed their-policy bub should leave ib with those who believed in it and had secured its adoption. So long as the Liberal party was strong their policy would be safe. It had been shewn that those who had risen from the ranks could govern the country, and if tho party was strong Ministers would be found to lead it whenever required. All he asked was fch&t the people should support the party they believed would do most good for the country, and he claimed that f vets proved Ikat that was tha present Liberal party.

Mr John M'Farlane moved a vote of thanks lo the Hon. Mr M'Kenzie, remarking that they had now htard the other side, and he thought it bid bten amply shown that the Government, of which the Hon. Mr M'Kerzie was a prominent member, vras worthy 'of confidence and support.

Mr J. Edie, sen., seconded and supported the motion, referring in complimentary terms to the work the Hon. Mr Bl'Kenzie had done for settlemint 24 years ago and to his subsequent career as a consistent and useful politician. He hoped and believed the present meeting would be the means of converting many opponents to the side of the Government. (Applause.)

Mr William M'Kay (late of Dunrobin) spoke strongly in support of tfce motion, and related to the audience how 26 years ago the present Minister had worked to open their district for settlement.

The motion was wut from the chair as a vofca of lhanka to* the Hoa. Mr M'Kenzie for his address »nd of confidence in the" Government. No amendment was moved, aud the motion was carried without dispenc.

The Hon. Mr M'Kenzie returned thanks for the vote that had been carried, and said thai Ms efforts for settlement had been rewarded by the success which had attended them, and that hs hoped the policy of the Government in this respect would tend fco make this country great and prosperous. — (Applause.) A vote of thanks bo the mayor for presiding brought the meeting to a close.

(Fkosi Oub Owh Correspondent.)

Roxburgh, April 4.

The Hons. John M'Keuzie and W. J. M. Larnach and Messrs M'Kerrow, Maiti&nd, and Ritchie arrived here on Thursday afternoon, and received a numerous deputation in tha evening re the Moa Flat estate and the Rox-bnrgh-Heriot railway. They visited Coal Creek on Friday, and went> through the Moa Flat estate to Heriot and inspected the property. The Minister proceeded to Tapanui, and afterwards visits Rnersdale, Gore, and Wyndh&m. Mr Larnach has gone up-country io speak ,in various centres. He speaks at Roxburgh next week on returning.

DEPUTATION AT TAPANUI

A deputation consisting of about 15 gentlemen, headed by the Mai or (Mr A. Mason) and members of the Tapanui Borough Council, waited oa the Minister re Brooksdale estate at Tapanui on Saturday last. The Mayor introduced the deputation, and brought under Mr M'Kenzie's notice the object of their visit. He considered that it would be a good thing for Government to take over Brooksdale estate snd cufc it up into small allotments, and he thought there would be dozens and in some cases perhaps 50 and 100 applicants for sections. It was one of Jthe best agricultural farms in New Zealand, and would carry from 40 to 50 selectors. Mr John M'Farlane thought it would be a very advisable thing for Government and also a benefit to the place if Brooksdale were acquired. The meeting could only endorse the Minister's opinion after having viewed the estate that day. Mr G. T. Daweon was sure if the estate were bought every acre would be taken up for settlement. No better proof of the quality of the land was required than the value of the farms round about the estate.

Mr J. T. Bnrrell said from wha£ he could gather from farmers in the community the opening up of the estate was * desirable thing. Many would prefer 100 acres on Brooksdale to 600 on other places.

The Hon. John M'Kenzie, in reply, eaid he was present that day for the purpose of looking at Brooksdale. The reason he had not been here sooner was thab he had not had time,' on account of the Premier's visit to England and Parliament sitting immediately after Mr Soddon's return. The question of taking Brook*dale was simply one of coat. The knew gold could be bought too dear, and even Brooksdale, with all its advantages, might be purchased

too dearly, They had to see, when buying an estate, that the terms would allow tenants to live and pay rent. That was the only difficulty he saw in the way of getting Brooksdale. They would understand he had not the power himself ; the law of Parliament would have to be Carried out, and the board appointed for the purpose would have to recommend the purchase to Government. However, he did not think there would be much difficulty in that. In this case the estate had been offered to Government, and hence it would not be a case of enforcing the compulsory clauses, and this made the course much easier. He had no besitation in Baying that the estate was one suitable for settlement. Government had mon&y to buy it and were willing to bay it. The chairfli&n of the Land Pnrchaze Board and he had viewed the estate, and his intention was to get the board to sit at once and get a recommendation with regard to it, so that they would not be long in knowing the result. With such a large estate it would of course be necessary to give the owners 12 months to sell their stock, and it Trould be about this time next year before tenants could go on to it. The estate had been inquired about before, but as it was not then under offer, and would have had to be taken compulsorily, nothing was done.

The Mayor thanked the Minister for his straightforward reply, and the deputation tlien withdrew.