The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1902.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 11687, 21 February 1902, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1902.

Speaking at Lawrence a day or two ago, the Minister of Lands told his heareis that " the Government were powerless to provide the people with land. The owners asked too big a price, and when thejwere brought into the courts, the Judges sided with the land-owners, with whom they were in sympathy." It seems to be impossible for the present Government to refrain from attacking the Judges. The Premier has done it on various occasions; the late Sir John MeKenZie repeatedly erred in the same direction, and now we have hi§- successor making as bad an attack as any that has gone before it. What he said at Lawrence amounts to a charge that the Judges, when dealing with land compensation cases in which the Government are concerned, on the one hand, and the owners, on the other, pervert justice by taking sides with one of the parties. He did not say that there was corruption—that the Judges were paid to value land too highly—but that they gave judgments which they would, not have given had they not perversely favoured the land-owners. Of couise there is not the smallest foundation for such an abominable • accusation. The colony is to be congratulated upon having a Bench far above being swayed by such considerations. The fact is that the Government, in their desire to settle people on the land, endeavour to obtain estates at prices sometimes far below market value. The Court cannot- countenance anything of the sort. The Judges are bound by their oaths, as well as by their principles and consciences, to protect the property rights of individuals when they are at stake in the Courts. They would be dishonest and unjust if they favoured the State at the expense of the land-owners. It is the business of the Judges to prevent the Government from grabbing private property at Jess than its fair value. We deny that the Courts have iixsj too high a price on any estate which the Government have desired to purchase for settlement purpc.. c:. It is a sh.maful thing for a Minister to make such attacks upon the ■ ! -..ieiit aiul we trust ii:ac when Parliament meets something more will be heard of the affair.