The Pahiatua Herald. with which is incorporated THE PAHIATUA STAR. Published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. MONDAY, SEPT. 18, 1893.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume I, Issue 51, 18 September 1893, Page 2

The Pahiatua Herald. with which is incorporated THE PAHIATUA STAR. Published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. MONDAY, SEPT. 18, 1893.

Mr Hugo’s agitation to secure to leaseholders one of the great advantages enjoyed by freeholders has advanced another stage. In another part of this issue will be found a report of the visit of a deputation to the Ministry to lay before them certain facts and ligures. Mr Hogg, who must be credited with the initiation of the movement, pointed out that the deputation wished lo bring under notice the right of settlers under the lease in perpetuity system to be p aced on the same footing as regards loans from Trust funds as owners of freeholds. He emphasised very strongly the disabilities under which bush settlers—more especially bush settlers in this part of the coiony -labored, and the danger that uxismd of all their effects being nuliineu by a shortage of capital jusi at the juncture when a little assistance would pu tin in on their feet and to .s e li**m and to their families a hv):;n . id a means or gain- : her of the deputation urged the claims of It as ■!■ is lo die consich ration of the Gov-. • ment, end adduced cogent reasons for gran: dig their request. The idea is to allow leaseholders in perpetuity to borrow from the Government to the extent or half the value of improvements ('fleeted ; and in that request we can see nothing unreasonable. There is, on the contrary, much to recommend its adoption. The security of the improvements is undoubted, and we are glad to notice that the Premier freely acknowledged that it was so. Other ministers were equally frank, and appeared to favor the request of the deputation. The only argument against the scheme was that it seemed premature, owing to the short time the lease in perpetuity had been in existence ; but this the time that must elapse before the sitting of the next Parliament will reined}. < )nly th< >se residing in such a district as our own are in a position to judge of the incalculable benefits that would accrue from the adoption of the scheme inaugurated by Mr Hogg. In fifty per cent of cases it means to the settlers the turning of the last corner on the way to a sure living and a comfortable home. Without some such assistance the present scheme will in a great measure fail in its aim and become inoperative, and the small holdings of the present tenants of the Government must be absorbed by the everpresent. I landshark and speculator, to the ex- | j tinction of the class the Government ! | profess themselves anxious to < j courage and assist. Whether he sue- j ceeds or fails in his attempt, Mr Hogg is entitled to credit for his labor on behalf of the leaseholders of the colony generally and the Bush districts in particular.