LAND ON EASY TERMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2712, 18 January 1910, Page 7

LAND ON EASY TERMS.

A DOUBTFUL STATE OF AFFAIRS

There is lying before us as ave write a recent number of the “Standard of Empire” (says the “Napier Daily graph”). In this journal, which is calculated to be of Imperial service if properly conducted, the Neav Zealand Government •publishes an ada-ertise-mont paid for by the people of this countrv. The notification in the issue before us sets out the advantages to be foitud in Now Zealand by emigrants from Britain, and one line in this reads: '“Government land can be obtained on easy terms.” Is this true? Is it true, that is, that persons coming from other countries can easily obtain occupation of Goa-ernment lands? If so, avhy is it not easy for settlers already-in this country, mostly native born, to obtain occupancy of Government lands? What ave are accustomed to is such a croavd of applicants for land, and the task of meeting their avants so difficult, or so little attended to tliat they, have to take part in lotteries and ballot for leases. It is not- easy, but- the reverse of easy, for Neav Zealanders to obtain Government land, and it is\ open to question whether the- statement in the advertisement is true as related to newcomers. If it is, however, the greater the disgrace to those responsible for making it “easy” for newcomers to obtain farms, while those in the country have to chase from district to district to take chances in a land ballot, and then, in most cases, retire from the scramble disappointed.