OPEN COLUMN.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume V, Issue 539, 3 September 1897, Page 3

OPEN COLUMN.

I Correspondence in invited upon all subjects, but we do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our correspondents ,J THE LAND LAWS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,- 1 accept without demur Mr Vile’s assurance that hi* agitation in the first letter was not caused by my appointment to the Land Board and am quite satisfied that he is not a tenant of the Crown, and therefore his agitation was not on that account. Now this is so far satisfactory, hut, as your readers will see, the cause of his agitation is a greater mystery than ever, and in calling Mr Vile’s attention to the fact, I would like to say that I regard perfect frankess as being essential to a good understanding between us. I am the more anxious to make this clear because the question at issue (our land laws) is, in my opinion, the most important ono within the whole range of politics, and therefore it has my most careful attention. Mr Vile should remember this, because every statement that lie makes either dis paraging the policy of the Ministers or the administration of his nominees is likely to he examined critically. In my last Utter I was careful to point out that Mr Vile had, metaphorically, hoisted the| Idack ting of dummyism and land speculation, and that in doing so he hud endeavored to enshroud himself in the shade of a great name. I also pointed out that in other respects Ins letter was quite unworthy of himself, and now we have the sequel to it in his second letter. Here ho seems to have forgotten all about poor Itallance, the Minister's nominees, and his own desire for a land gamble. In other words, at the first shot from his friend the enemy Mr Vile lets Ins colors (the black Hag) go by the board, and then begins to parley and patronise the present Minister of Lands ; ami then, as a clincher to an argument, he puts a poser to Mr Reese. Well now I suppose the Hon. John McKenzie will he delighted when he knows that Mr Vile is prepared to give him all the praise

“ he deserves for trying to do his level last." Magnanimity could scarcely he expected to go further than this, but just fancy the astute Mr Vile while in this truly benevolent humour comforting himself with the reflection that the Minister of La ids “has yet somewhat to learn.” Now, Mr Editor, when 1 think about wbat Hamlet said, namely, “ 1 could lie bounded in a nutshell and think myself king of infinite space,” I wonder, and am amazed to think of tho magnitude of the nutshell necessary to contain all the knowledge which Mr Vile has concerning our laud laws and their administration. In conclusion 1 quite recognise thut his “ poser " is very much liko the Yankee's mule, it is a very awkward thing to deal with. But is it not a piece of nonsense for Mr Vile to suggest that these cancellations are all evils created by the law and its

administration when he knows perfectly well that in many cases cancellation becomes absolutely necessary, and will continue to be so as long as men continue to take up sections without first seeing them and then ultimately discovering that the sections are not suitable for their requirements. There may be a dozen other reasons equally good why s< clions are forfeited. But would it not be much more to tho purpose if Mr Vile would give over his carping in general terms about the laws and their administration, and instead give us something of a specific character to deal with. Let me challenge him to cite one .instance from among the hundred cancellations which ho has referred *o to show that tho interest of the selector was injured, and whero the Board had not good reason for its action. Unless Mr Vile does this I submit that your readers must conclude, however reluctantly, that the real cause of liis previous agitation has landed him in a big difficulty.—l am, &c., Alex. Reese.