Native Lands.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 461, 31 May 1890, Page 3

Native Lands.

Speaking on the subject of land, Mr Fergus said that the colony had a grand estate in the hands of the Crown and of the natives, and the question was how best to bring that estate under the occupation of the people. The Government were of opinion that the time had arrived when every endeavour should be made to secure as much native land as possible when it came into the market. The Government had resolved not to borrow, at least for the present, but they thought that the money for the purchase of these lands might be realised by creating land debentures to be a first charge on the land when sold or settled. In connection with this matter there was tha question of making roads to and through the newly acquired lands, and the Government thought they to* their way to toise the Msetsary

money by the issue of road debentures. The Government thought that a great deal more must be done to open land for settlement than was being none at present. Considerable areas are being held unprofitably by land and mortgage companies, in'o whose hands land fell through the inability of the mortgagors to pay interest, and the question would have to be faced as to how best, in fairness to the companies and the interests of the colony, those areas could be made available for settlement.