CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2436, 26 February 1909, Page 6

CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

WORKERS’ MESSAGE TO PREMIER. " [Press. 1 Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 25. .The AVorkers’ Political Association deputed its president, Air AA T . J. Ballinger, to send tlie following telegram to the Premier:—/‘The AVorkers’ Political Association trusts that in tlie public interest you will make further inquiry before re-letting tlie Canterbury runs and so locking them up against closer settlement for twentyone years.” To this the Premier has replied: ' “Re Canterbury runs, I am afraid there is some misappreheiteion on the part of the AVorkers’ Association. The great majority of the runs which may be offered for closer settlement do not fall in until the year after next., that is, until 1911 ,when every effort will be made to see that lands at all fitted for closer settlement are subdivided for that purpose. Regarding the lands which are to be auctioned at the end of this month full enquiries have been made, and it has been clearly shown that none of them are fitted for closer settlement. Any fertile areas within the runs were disposed of years ago by the Provincial Government, and at present are held by freeholders, and the Government cannot interfere. You may rest assured that all lands fitted at all for closer settlement will not he let for pastoral runs.—J. G. Ward.”