The Wanganui Chronicle AND RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1901. PAD-LOCKED ESTATES.

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 July 1901, Page 2

The Wanganui Chronicle AND RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1901. PAD-LOCKED ESTATES.

The peculiar methods of the Assets Board came on for a good deal of hostile criticism at the hands of some out-spoken members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday last. We hear a lot of an unsatisfied "earth hunger," and of the necessity of pushing on with the resumption of large estates, and the wonder is that the action of the Assets Board in keeping its estates locked up, has not been much,mere frequently and severely criticised. The Wellington. Post, in referring to the condemnatory tone of the ■discussion, expresses the opinion that both the Board (for its apathy) and the Government (for not resuming these es^ tates. for close settlement)) were deserving of the adverse comments which were bestowed upon them during the debate in question. Among those who most strongly protested against the policy of the Board were Messrs Buddo, Hcrries and Napier. Mr Buddo understood that the Board held nearly a quarter million acres, much of it available for dairying, and he adversely criticised its inactivity in not soiling. Mr Herries said that the Assets Board .would never sell its lands while it conducted sales according to its present methods, though it had i 50,000 acres that could be sold -to-morrow. Mr Napier spoke of a number of estates belonging to the -Boasd situated in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato districts. These estates he described as dead -land, and a system .which kept them locked up while the Board drew salaries was pernicious. The Post, in endorsing the sentiments expressed! by "these, gentlemen, points out that "the Auckland . people have long complained of the' manner in which the progress of the province has been retarded by reayon of the inability of intending settlers to obtain, access to the land, but when the country shouldered the liabilities of the Assets Board-it was confidently anticipated that the Government would at once proceed to take over such of the estate* as were' suitable in terms- of the Land for Settlements A(ct. That hope has* been so long deferred that the disappointed ones are naturally disposed to think that a sound policy of realisation and settlement is being held back by the interested motive,? of the army ;of directors, managers, . superintendents, and other paid officials whose occupation will be gone . when the {.states pass out of their hands." Another view ,that seems to ba held is that the estates are being worked to show a, lairger margin of profit than would be possible were the land maintained in heart, so that when it comes to be sold its capital value will have been diminished relatively to its impoverishment. way," adds our contemporary, "The Assets Board is holding estates that, intending settlers, through the Government, desire to buy, and there is no satisfactory reason forthcoming for this policy of inaction. Then again it is surely on injustice to the shareholders of the Bunk of New Zealand that theso properties remain unrealised when they could be sold to better advantage now than at any time during the past decade." In conclusion, the Post asks "why is it that at a time when there is such an extraordinary demand for land the Asset-a Board will not do the work it was appointed to dc—realise upon the .estates committed to its care to the best advantage? They surely do not expect to get bettor prices than those now ruling. Perhaps Mr Seddo-n, who is a. member of the Board, will inform the Minister for Lands in order that the Premier may be placed in a position to advise the House and the country