CORRESPONDENCE.

Waipa Post, Volume IV, Issue 151, 4 October 1912, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

I Out correspondents opinions are IheU own; the responsibility of editorial items makes sufficient ballast for the editors shoulders. It is necessary that all letters for publication should bear the name of the writer—not necessarily foi publication, but/is evidence of good faith.)

TO THE EDITOR. SIR, —In spite of the complaining and pessimistic spirit which characterised your columns during the administration of the Liberal party it is gratifying to know that you are not in reality so very hard to satisfy after all, as is shown by the kindly manner in which you review the Land Bill just brought down by Mr Massey. I belong to those who did not expect much, therefore am not disappointed, but your attitude in the past led one to suppose that great benefits were to be bestowed i nmediately the Reform party took possession of the Treasury benches. Many believed, and not unreasonably, that during the comparative leisure recently enjoyed by the Reform leader he would have prepared some comprehensive scheme capable of being presented to the country at- a moment's notice, but all that has matured is this miserable Bill, which you are pleased to describe as embodying the "mest urgent reforms." Are you serious ? Do you really call these the most urgent reforms? Part 11, containing the scheme for sub-divi-sion of large estates, may be availed of by owners of such, and I trust it will, but it appears a most unlikely thing. Can ycu think of anyone of your acquaintance who would sub-divide on the terms mentioned ?—lO p,er cerit deposit, balance in yearly instalments,- extending over 20 years at 5 P er cent on-.unpaid balance. But the jest of it is that he can only offer it for sale after being sanctioned by the Minister, for which privilege the Minister will, if required, advance the small amount necessary to cover cost of survey, etc. 'The last part of the Bill, which is important, as you say, to hoMers of sections in the Teasdale settlement, will, I hope, as you also say (facetiously perhaps), find much favour with them, but I am inclined to doubt it. I think the majority of them will not hesitate to admit that the terms are hardly so advantageous as, from hints thrown out, they had reason to expect. It will be interesting to see how many avail themselves of this golden opportunity to become freeholders. ' I would also like to point out that you overlooked the fact that a number of tenants hold their sections oh the ' Li.p. tenure, for which no provision has yet been made. —I am, etc., James H. Elliott. Te Kuiti, 2nd October, 1912. [ln dealing with the new Land

Bill we did so without undue reference to man or party, and desired only to give our readers an idea of the terms of the measure now before the House. Mr Elliott would have us believe that reform of our land laws is unnecessary, but on this point we differ, Urgent reform is necessary, and the new Bill will do much to meet the more pressing demands. Mr Elliott's concluding remarks would seem to indicate that he has not made a very careful perusal of the land legislation foreshadowed in the Budget, which reads as follows :—"The Government may not be able to place the whole of its land policy before Parliament during the present session. . . . . Parliament will be asked next session to give the Crown tenants holding land under leases in perpetuity the option of purchase, etc." Having due regard to the l.i.p. tenants and their legitimate rights to a more satisfactory tenure, we were led to express the opinion,after reading the new Bill and the Budget, that the proposed measure was " designed to meet what are considered to be the most urgent reforms, rather than a Bill embodying the whole policy of the Government on this important question." The actual working of the Bill is a question in which Parliament is more directly concerned, and before the measure becomes law no doubt the finer points to which Mr Elliott takes exception will have been fully considered by men whose business it is to see to the introduction of workable laws. We always have, and always will, advocate a progressive land settlement' policy on the optional tenure, and deem it incumbent upon us to give our readers an idea of any proposed measure affecting land

and land settlement, irrespective of the political party which gives birth to any reform. —ED. W.P.]

TO THE EDITOR. SIR, —Will you kindly allow me space for a few lines anent the roads. Some time ago a letter appeared in your columns replying to complaints as to "the disgraceful state of the roads." One correspondent gave facts and figures to show that the monies received were well spent and that the term " disgraceful " was not applicable. Having only lately settled in the district, I was rather diffident in commenting on the subject, but when the main roads get into such a state, that vehicles are capsized, it is time ratepayers protested. In.the first place I would ask have the Waipa County Council and Ran-

giaohia Road Board (the two local bodibs to whom I pay rates) taken steps to collect rates from all the property owners in the district ? lam told the reason no rates are demanded is because these properties are in the King Country or outside the confiscated line. This, however, is no reason why these property owners should use the roads which the ratepayers keep in repair (save the mark) for them, without contributing their shai'e for the upkeep. Have the County Councils endeavoured to get an alteration made ? If they have, and have failed, then why not demand a toll from non-rate-payers using the roads ? In the South Island where main roads are well metalled, the County Councils regulate the width of tyres of waggons and heavy traffic. If such regulations are found necessary where good metal roads exist surely it is a hundred times more so here. I have seen here three tons on three inch tyres, which of course cut like a knife into an earth road. Now, such a load should be on from 6 to Bin tyres.' This fine district cannot progress as fast as it should if the roads remain as at present. I venture to suggest that the controlling bodies collect rates from all property owners, not only from a few as at present, and that regulations be made and enforced as to width of tyre for heavy traffic. —I am, etc.,

Herbert Innes Jones.