THE LAND LAWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 65, 22 July 1913, Page 5

THE LAND LAWS.

Sir, —In reply to Mr Hino’s lettei in your issue of the 19th inst., re r y questions asked at his meeting as to tho financial position of applicants when applying for land under the R ; ' _ form Government, I will quote—word for word—an extract from a poster sent out of 13,202 acres of rural lands being thrown open for selection in the Taranaki Provincial district, and dated “New Plymouth, 14th April, 1913.’ It reads as follows:—“Each applicant is required to produce for inspection when examined by the Board documentary evidence of his financial position, such as bank pass books, certificates or letters of credit from managers o f banks, financial institutions, or mercantile firms, or from private persons or parents undertaking to give financial assistance. Persons undertaking to assist financially should state to what extent they are prepared to do so, and supply guarantees of their own financial position.” I was a member of tho Taranaki Land Board for ten years, and can guarantee that the ordinary Crown Lands were always thrown open to tho man without capi-j tal under tho Liberal Government. Now, what chance has a person without substantial means of getting Crown Lands under the Reform Government? Absolutely no chance whatever. Thanking Mr Hine for giving me the opportunity of showing that neither Mr Massey or himself understands the land laws passed by the Reform Government last session, 1 am, etc., JOSEPH McCLUG G AGE. Stratford, 21-7-13.