OPEN COLUMN.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume V, Issue 538, 1 September 1897, Page 3

OPEN COLUMN.

I Correspondence is invited upon allsubjeeta, but we do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our correspondents .J

THE LAND LAWS. TO TUB EDITOR. Sir, —Your correspondent, Mr Alex. Reese, imputes wrong motives to my condemnation of the land laws. The hues written by me and expressed in my letter published in your columns were views held prior to Mr A. Reese’s appointment to the Land Board. Perhaps he will believe me if I say 1 was not in the slightest degree agitated on that account. Further, lam not a tenant of the Crown, and trust I never shall be—at least on bush lands—and therefore not agitated on that account. lam probably better able to express the views of those who arc their tenants through being free. Now, sir, 1 give the lion. John McKenzie all the praise 1 think he deserves for trying to do his level best for the many by his land laws, but he has yet somewhat to learn. The brake on bis wheels is compulsory settlement of bush lands, and consequent forfeiture. If he will only get rid of that brake and make his terms somewhat easier bis land laws would travel much freer, much easier, and be much more comfortable to the State and all parties concerned. Now, Mr Reese, 1 have a poser for you since you have taken up thu gauntlet. Can you explain bow it is that at the present moment there are one hundred forfeited sections in the several special settlements in the Wellington land district alone now advertised for sale ? This iH but one instalment, as a considerable number have gone befori-, and no doubt a considerable number will follow. Very littlo of this kind of thing was heurd of under the Act of IHHo. —I am, Ac., Job Vile.