x LAND AND THE LAND LAWS 101 



should never have been uttered by any responsible 

 servant of the Crown. 



Then what does the settler want, if he is not in love 

 with those regulations which exist at present ? Here 

 one must tread delicately : for obviously it is easier to 

 be unanimous in opposition to a system which has 

 been tried and found wanting, than in support of one 

 which has yet to be tried. 



It is pretty certain, however, that the bulk of the 

 population would welcome the following : — 



That increased precautions should be taken that 

 grants of land should only be made to genuine settlers 

 and investors. 



That when once the grant was completed, such 

 grant should be on the terms of freehold or perpetual 

 quit-rent. 



That the main object of the land laws should be to 

 encourage an influx both of colonists and capital. 



That white occupation should be the most stringent 

 of all conditions. 



That while grants should in the main be restricted 

 in size, large grants could be made to companies or 

 capitalists. 



Provided — that white occupation be not diminished 

 thereby and that an increased minimum of capital 

 be required. 



Thus if 5,000 acres demanded a minimum expen- 

 diture of ^500, 10,000 acres should require a minimum 

 of ,£2,000, 20,000 acres an expenditure of say £6,000, 

 and so on. 



That all such cases should be judged on their merits 

 and that as far as possible the aim should be to 

 prevent too rigid a code prejudicing the development 

 of the country. 



