The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1886.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3588, 31 March 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1886.

Theue was at least one portion of Mr Rolleston's speech at Temuka to which many of those who are m general his political opponents will heartily cay atnen. There is no man m the colony who is more anxious than he to promote the settlement of the people on the land under conditions which will enable them to prosper. His tenure of office as Minister of Lands was marked by the passing of a land law more liberal than any that had gone before it, and his administration not only evinced an earnest desire to bring the people and the laud together, but was acknowledged to be to a large extent successful m that direction. It was to be expected that on such an occasion as that of the Tcniuka. meeting he would make the question of land settlement a prominent feature m his speech. The time at his disposal was too limited to admit of a very lengthy reference to any one topic, but with regard to land settlement his words were especially clear, pithy, and satisfactory. He is as much impressed with the importance of the subject as ever, and bia action last session m supporting Mr Ballance's bill (a point to which the speech made tbe briefest allusion) furnished conclusive evidence that be cannot be tinned from the work of facilitating settlement even wben new proposals of which he approves come from men of a different party. He expressed a very favourable opinion of tbe plan of village settlement. He plainly gave m ii is adhesion to tho doctrine that resumption of private lands for settlement was justifiable, provided the owners were fully compensated ; but lie was just as plainly opposed to Sir George Grey's scheme for making payment m land boud3. He also threw out some valuable suggestions witb regard to tho potency of co-operation amongst -working men for tbe purpose of acquiring freeholds. Mr Rollcston carried the meeting completely with him, and it was evident that those present appreciated his earnestness as well as his success as a land reformer.