THE MINISTER OF LANDS AT PALMERSTON.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1800, 3 June 1891, Page 3

THE MINISTER OF LANDS AT PALMERSTON.

The Hon. John M'Kenzie, in addressing his constituents at Palraerston on Monday evening, stated that the policy of the Government was to be one of no borrowing. They had come to the conclusion that it was in the best interest of the colony they should cease borrowing and live within their means. They intended during next session to introduce a bill for the reform of the Upper House, limiting the time when the members of that body could. retain their seats. They had also decided on reforming the land laws. In order to prevent trafficking in land for special settlement, he had determined to retain the freehold in the hands of the Crown, and only to provide for perpetual leases. The process of creating large estates out of farm homestead settlements was still going on extensively. He had recently seen one property of 2000 acres created out of one of these settlements, and tjhisimast be- not allowed to go on. "They bud now only 2,800,000 acres of land fit for settlement. Neither in the Canterbury nor Hawke's Bay district was any land for settlement in the hands of the Crown. He was prepared in the measure to come before Parliament to give any person who wanted a freehold pure ■nd simple the right to acquire a certain area of land, but only on condition that it was improved and not held for speculative purposes. He also intended to continue the deferred payment system on conditions of residence only. He would make such provisions in the Land Bill as would put a stop to dummying. He would make it a misdemeanour both for the dummy and the person who employed him. They would be liable to imprisonment without the option of a fine. He was prepared to defend his action in connection with the appointment of Mr Ritchie as chief of the Stock Department. On taking charge of that department he found it in a most disorganised state. He found that thousands of pounds were spent each year by six chief inspectors in keeping down rabbits on Crown lands without any control whatever from any quarter. He wanted a good man to carry out reforms and undertake the working of the department. He knew Mr Ritchie to be a steady, energetic, economical manager of Mount Royal station, and he, therefore, appointed him. As regard the charges made against him by Mr Spence, late Crown Lands Commissioner for Southland, he should say that some very startling and specified accusations had been made against Mr Spence. Ncns of these Mr Spence was able satisfactorily to answer. The settlers were practically thrust aside by him, while certain gentlemen whom he (Mr M'Kenzie) could name could obtain anything they asked for from the Southland Land Board. He found that land with timber on it worth £3 per acre had been sold to a favoured gentleman for 12s 6d an aore cash. He found another of the favoured few was allowed to take possession of fourteen selections as sawmilling areas, amounting altogether to 5,568 acres of Southland forest reserves. And he had only three sawmills on the lot. He found also that the total land revenue received for the month amounted to £1251 10s Id, being at the rate of ±'52 3s 6d per day. The entries in the books amounted to 501, being a little over 20 entries per day. There were about 14 receiptsi pts given per day, and barely four letters received, and slightly over four letters despatched a day. Thirty-nine persons applied for land, being at the rate of about one applicant and a-half per diem. In addition to this there were a few printed returns to fill in for the month, and there was a monthly meeting of tbe X<axid Board, tbe minutes of which would bave to be kept. And to do this work required • staff of officers at an expenditure of £2223 per annum, being at the rate of £185 5s per month, or a percentage of 15 per c nt, on the gross takings. He had been heartily thanked by a large number of people in Southland for his action. — Mr M'Kenzie received a vote of confidence at the conclusion of his address.