THE PELORUS GUARDIAN FRIDAY, JUNE, 20 1890. The Land Question.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 42, 20 June 1890, Page 2

THE PELORUS GUARDIAN FRIDAY, JUNE, 20 1890. The Land Question.

At our present writing we do not know what the Governor's speech is likely to contain, but we presume it will be short if not sweet. From the concluding remarks of Sir Harry Atkinson at the close of last session we anticipate that very little in the shape of legislation will be introduced this Session, as he said that what the country wanted was careful administration. Of course careful administration is very good in its way, but supposing there is nothing to administer, it is just as well to make something. There are two questions we should like to see discussed, as they are questions on which the prosperity of the country depends—namely, land settlement and local government. We are afraid, however, that the latter will not be touched upon, and will be left to a new Parliament, but with regard to the former no delay whatever should take place. We notice that ministers and ministerial supporters are very jubilant over the fact that nearly twice as much land has been settled by the present Government as the previous one; we hardly think this is a fair way of putting it. We will take it for granted that such is the case, but that does not say that their administration has been the cause of this increase. The fact is that people have been gradually driven out of the towns into the country because business of all kinds was at a standstill; or, in other words, it has been almost compulsory for people to obtain a living that they have gone on to the land. Then, again, the Press and politicians generally have been discussing the question to that extent that many have gone on to the land in consequence. We hope, therefore, that the Government and the House will not conclude that because settlement has been more rapid than heretofore that their administration is in consequence perfect. It is admitted by those who are conversant with the subject that it is a long way from being perfect, and a great improvement might reasonably be made not only in the details, but in the general principles. • For our parts we shall look upon the session as a barren one unless something like a bold policy is adopted with regard to this important matter. We are well aware that there are other questions affecting the well-being of this country, but surely the source of all wealth is the most important, and we hope the House will not be satisfied with the statement that settlement has been greater since the present Government took office than it was when the previous Government were in power. The result is very gratifying, no doubt, but when greater results could be obtained it is the duty of those in power to obtain them, and not rest satisfied with the fact that they have done better than someone else. It is a well-known fact that m the Highlands of Scotland that the grouse, the salmon, and the deer, are more important personages than the crofters, and so it is in this country where the poorer settlers are only a second consideration to sheep, or, in other words, land monopolists are favoured in preference to small settlers. And so long as the electors place large land-owners or their friends into power, so long will the working men and small landowners have to pay the piper while the more favoured few dance to the music.