MR ROLLESTON RE PERPETUAL LEASING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 3054, 8 July 1884, Page 3

MR ROLLESTON RE PERPETUAL LEASING.

| TO THB BDITOB OF THB TIMABU HEBALD Sib, — Mr Turnbull m bii speech tbe othe night atigmatisod this policy as ruinous, and i miatitko lor whioh Mr Hollos ton is to pay dea by the lnia of his oUotion at Goraldine. I •uoh ft thing id to occur, it will be a diagroc to the country. Tho leasehold landi that noi are left are only fit for sheep grazing, owin to tbe rough, billy nature of the paiLure, am as suoh never will carry a denie or yet a •grloultural olsis of the oommunity. Th said country is only fit for occupation m blook which will oarry from 2000 to 5000 sheer acoording to tho qualify of the laud, an if tbe land were surveyed into suitabl blocks by men who are looallr aoquainto with tbe country, and put up by auotion t

the highest bidder, for ten years* lease, subject to his improvement? being paid for should any other man outbid him for the next tenure. This would give men who are not great capitalists an opportunity, as they wil! only have (o pay their rent, and find 6 took. Now, should the runß be sold, the money will only be drivelled away m honorariums and salaries for officialism, and I think farmer! ought to see thoy have had onough of this m New Zealand, and make thoio who represent them act up to what will be most beneficial to the country and community. If the runa are Bold they will only go into the hands of our Mortgage Agenoies and others, and the lessor will be at their mercy instead of at that of a Government. I hat ought to be the as»iatant of its people m giving them opportunities that will allow of their being nble to live upon the land and enjoy some profit for their labor, which, hetween the high rates of inte»e9t, rai'wuy rates, and taxation, it is difßoult to do at present. I only wish Mr Rolloston were Btanding < Gladstone, when I would at all events know if he did lose it my vote v»ould have been well used, although, perhaps, thrown away. The railways are the only fault that oan be laid to his oharge as belonging to tbe Government; but it is to be trusted that after the rears he has served the country, a small alip that can be remedied will not be enough to prejudice a people gifted with anything like common tense. I am, &c, WILMAM J. NBWTON.