CAUSTIC CRITICISM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8984, 18 July 1907, Page 2

CAUSTIC CRITICISM.

fFItOM OITR CORKKSPONDKNT.] L DUNEDIN, July 17. After expressing approval of the Budget as a whole and of the proposals lor the remission of tfxataon on the necessaries of life, the btar takes off the gloves in respect to what it characterises as " The Land Bill surrender." Seeing that this journal has hitherto been one of the staunchest supporters of the Government proposals I make no apology for telegraphing in practically its entirely its caustic comment. The paragraph is entitled 1' Land " :—" It is not specially connected with the financial side of the Budget (except as regards the increase in tlfe graduated tax) but the Financial Statement has come to be* used as a medium for the general exposition of Min-iste-lal policy, and land reform proposals are undoubtedly the most prominent feature of the policy of Sir Joseph Ward's Government. Sir Joseph had a surprise for the House and country, a surprise which many faithful members of the Liberal Party will be disposed to characterise' as a betrayal. The secret had been well kept, and Mr Laurenson, when speaking at Gisborne two or three days ago, had no inkling of the intended surrender. We believe that the Government have made a big mistake, and that they will only have themselves to blame if the loyalty of many of their supporters is strained almcst to breaking point. They have no moral right to let their friends down in thus sudden and complete fashion. We are frankly disconcerted, and almost feel that our congratulations are due to Mr Maseey and the Farmers Union. We have no wish to underrate the importance and value of those portions of their policy which Ministers have not seen fit to throw overboard. They have not abandoned the graduated tax proposals, and only a portion of the endowment scheme is to be sacrificed to the prejudices of the reactionary party, and this is well. Earnest reformers siiouid be thankful for email mercies in this hour of disillusionment. Mr M'Nab's attempt to .-justify the novel course which he and his colleagues have adopted will be awaited with keen interest, but in the meantime we are at a loss to imagine by what means he hopes to make out a "reasonable or even a plausible case in defence of the radical change of policy announced by his leader last night. During the last few ninths, with admirable vigour and eff<"**:veneee, he has shown cause why the holders of leases-in-perpetuity should not be offered the option of the freehold, and has repeatedly poured the vials of his scorn upon the proposal to make fresh purchases of land "with the money obtained from land sales. Yet now the holders of 999 years leases are to be offered the option of acquiring the freehold after all, while the proceeds of sales will be paid into the Land for Settlements account, nnd be applied in acquiring new estates for settlement! It is a sorry and stultifying capitulation, quite unnecessary (as we believe) and essentially undesirable, and we are afraid that it will produce a demoralising and disintegrating effect upon the fortunes of the Government a,nd the Liberal Party.