Our Member.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 4229, 18 July 1901, Page 4

Our Member.

[to the editor. | Sir, —Several of your correspondents, labouring no doubt under considerable mental excitement caused by brooding over what they consider the unnecessary delay in acquiring land for settlement in this locality, do Mr Hall a grave injustice. These gentlemen seem to think that the member for the district is a second Julius Caesar, who only has to say “We want land for the people ” and 10, the Government start straight away to purchase estates in all directions. A little reflection should convince them that all a member can do is to urge upon the Government the need for settlement in his district and to take such steps as suggest themselves to his mind to reach the gaol aimed at. Now even Mr Hall’s bitterest opponent must admit that he has done this, and although an estate has not yet been purchased there is every reason to believe that this will be done in the near future. As we all know, the land settlement policy of the Government is still on its trial, and it is not reasonable to suppose that Ministers will acquire properties until they are satisfied that they are suitable for sub-division, and these enquiries take. time. Let us look facts squarely in the face and judge of what will happen in the future by what has transpired in the past. When this electorate was represented by a Conservative (a very worthy gentleman in a great many respects) no steps of any sort were taken to acquire land for settlement purposes around Waipawa. Since Mr Hall has represented us he has, on every available occasion, urged the substitution of men for sheep upon the land. He has been instrumental in getting Government officials to inspect and the Land Purchase Board to recommend the purchase of The Brow and Abbotsford. Is this nothing, in face of the fact that the ground had not been broken when Mr Hall appeared upon the scene ? And is it not reasonable to suppose that the matter will be carried to its logical conclusion and effect given to the recommendations of the Board ? We have the assurance of the Minister for Lands and the word of the Premier that land for settlement will be provided around Waipawa, and Mr Hall is doing his best to get it as quickly as possible. He has no magician’s wand with which to work wonders, but quietly and persistently he is working, striving to reach that goal we are all aiming at. Apologising for trespassing so much on your space.—l am, etc., Land Hunger.