I.—ll

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Any term of imprisonment passed upon an inmate of a refuge who absconds therefrom shall not be reckoned as part of the term for which such inmate was committed to said refuge. 69. Every manager of a refuge, or officer, or servant thereof, who negligently or voluntarily permits any inmate thereof to escape therefrom, is liable on conviction thereof to a penalty not exceeding twenty pounds. 70. Every person who directly or indirectly counsels or induces any inmate of a refuge to abscond therefrom before he has been regularly discharged, or who, knowing any inmate to have absconded from any refuge, harbours or conceals, or assists in harbouring or • concealing, such inmate, or prevents him from returning to such refuge, is liable on conviction thereof to a penalty not exceeding fifty pounds. 71. Every person who, without lawful authority or excuse, holds or attempts to hold, any communication with any inmate of any refuge, or enters any such refuge or any building or yard belonging thereto, and does not depart therefrom when required so to do by the manager or other officer or servant of such refuge, is liable on conviction to a penalty not exceeding twenty pounds.

APPENDIX J. PAPER BY MR. MILLAR, M.H.R., RE STATE FARMS. In dealing with such a large social question as the irregularity and want of employment by large numbers of our people, it appears to me that to be effectual any scheme must be comprehensive, and, whilst thoroughly agreeing with Mr. Bolt's proposal as far as it goes, I consider that it stops short at the very point where it should become effective —viz., that no provision is made for any save those who originally are placed on the land, and such artisans as may be required for the use of that particular community. Now, it may be replied that the creation of further communities would make this provision, but the difficulty of getting suitable land, and in suitable areas, is a stumbling-block, and my idea is that four distinct systems require to be established so as to meet the different classes intended to be benefited. These should be—(l) farms, (2) industrial settlements, (3) workmen's homes, and (4) bush-clearing. State Farms. The establishment of State farms is necessary for two reasons—(l) To find employment for men temporarily idle ; (2) to give that necessary training to mechanics who through the introduction of machinery are permanently displaced to go on the land and make a living,, and who, after being trained, could be drafted on to lands which have been prepared for them under my fourth proposal. Nominal wages only should be paid to men of this class whilst on the State farm at first, but gradually increased as they became more proficient until the ruling rate of wages was attained, by which time it may be presumed that a large percentage of this class would be sufficiently trained to take up and work land for themselves. This appears to me to be the most suitable way to meet the objection that men without practical knowledge cannot become successful settlers. Industrial Settlements. This phase of the question is fully dealt with in Mr. Bolt's proposals, and I entirely concur with him in his suggestions. Woekmen's Homes. This scheme is to deal with another class of workmen—viz., tradesmen whose employment is irregular, but who, if able to obtain sections of from 3 to 5 acres of good land near the centres of population, could employ themselves in cultivating it, and thus supplement their irregular income and enable them to make a fair living for themselves and family. Many persons seem to think that this class of settler would enter into unfair competition with dairy-farmers already settled, but I am not of that opinion, as there are many experiments in cultivation which men could make who were not entirely dependent on the land for their living, such as growing certain flowers for the essential oils they contain, and others of a like nature. This would establish entirely new industries in our midst; and this, I think, is our aim and desire. Bush-cleaeing. I am of opinion that our present system of leasing our bush lands is a wrong one, and one that is costing the colony thousands of pounds a year through the wanton destruction of large quantities of valuable timber; and to avoid this I would suggest that the Government should select from amongst our unemployed the most suitable men, and send them to fell the bush in such districts as