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Taranaki Herald, Volume I, Issue 28, 9 February 1853, Page 2

The letter of a " Claimant" has called us back to the vexed question of more land. The possibility of something being accomplished in a matter so materially affecting the future prosperity of the settlement makes us consider it a duty to re-open the subject, although the absence of any movement after repeated efforts to induce something like activity, operates a disheartening influence. There are, however, in our correspondent's letter some of the materials desiderated, viz. a suggestion for a line of procedure ; but the best suggestions, and all the writing in the world, will avail nothing, unless the vitality of action is put into the business by those who have the interests of the settlement at heart. Some few there are who think that an increase of land in the market will be injurious to the interests of those who already possess land ; and that to make land cheap will giving the new settlers an advantage over the old settlers, which they the old settlen view with jealousy. We believe rightly considered neither of these positions will be found of much weight. As regards the first it may be safely asserted that the purchase and throwing into the market remote dis-

dricte, can have no other effect than enhancing the value of the lands in the immediate vicinity of the more populous places ; and a sight consideration only of the ordinary operations of cause and effect will be sufficient to make this apparent. In respect of the second, when the advantages, which an addition to the population must necessarily bring in the increased consumption of all the productions of the place, and the impetus which it would give to trade and general improvements alike beneficial to the old and to the new settlers, are taken into account, will be found far out-balancing any good which the old settlers might by possibility derive from a sale of the lands they possess at an increased value to the casual arrivals which ' like angels visits' are now and then heard of at New Plymouth. Our last paper [contained a notice from the Crown Land's Commissioner which states the resumption of the land sales in this settlement. As regards the t own sections the arrangement is calculated to be beneficial, but we believe we are rightly informed that there is no suburban land for sale/vvhile the rural — bush — land is only reduced to 20s > per acre. This will effect little good as it is well known that eligible bush sections have been sold at 25 per cent below this price very recently, and many others have been long in th# market at 20s. without finding purchasers— nor are they likely to find purchasers, un'ess some system of supplying roads is adopted, or a considerable diminution of price is made to meet that difficulty. The resumption of these sales as a matter of general convenience will be advantageous, but with the present limited supply of land will not effect much good for the settlement. Our coi respondent suggest 1 ) memorialising the Governoi to permit the settlement to enter into negotiations with the natives for the tracts of land between the Bell Block and Mangoraka j rightly urging that the question does not admit of further delay, and that, at least, it will advise his Excel/ency of the wanls of the settlement, if it docs no more. We cannot help thinking that the respectful memorial of a large body of the settlers embodying such a request ; a compliance with which there is little doubt will by recently delegated powers be within the authority of his Excellency, would meet with some success ; indeed it cannot be supposed that the Qovernor is so indifferent to the prosperity of the settlement as to neglect the united prayer of the settlers in a matter which there is little doubt would show an unmistakeable unanimity of feeling among all parties. The probability of a large influx of people at no remote date cannot be overlooked by the authorities, and the consequent necessity for mote land follows necessarily on such an event, even supposing that the settlement had for present purposes a'l it lequires. We trust, therefore, that our correspondent, whose knowledge of the subject fits him so well for the undertaking, will take measures for ascertaining the collective opinion of the settlement, and proceed at once to put the proposition in train for subediting it to the authorities. Since the above was in type, we have received an advertisement from the Committee of the Taranaki Constitutional Association calling a public Meeting for Saturday next. It will be seen that " all party and

political subjects" are to be avoided. This is wisely done, and we trust that the settlers of New Plymouth will muster to a man to record their deliberate opinions on this all important question.