The Hawaiian gazette., 1909-10-26
MONEY TO AID
HOMESTEADERS
Castro Proposes to Loan Cash
to Those Taking Up
Public Land.

To open the public lands of the Ter.
ritory for homesteaders and then as.
sist the legitimate homesteaders by
loaning them government money at a |
low interest, until they have estab.
lished their homes, is the idea of Rep.
resentative A. d. Castro. Mr.. Castro
has been studying up the matter of
government aid to homesteaders, as
practised elsewhere, and he can not
see why system that has worked well
elsewhere can not be made to fit and
work well in the Islands, despite any
peculiar conditions that may prevail.
He has embodied his ideas in joint
resolution, which he intends to pre-.
sent at the coming special session of
| the legislature. AS the matter deals
| in "a manner with the proposed amend
ments to the Organic Act, providing a
| means to carry out the new land laws
| as embodied in the proposed amend.
| ments, he is of the opinion that the
matter would be proper as well as op.
| perfume.
| off we can show congress that we are
] sincere enough in our endorsement Of
| the amendments as to be planning
steps for their carrying out, 1 think
it would help the passage of the
amendments" he says.
Continuing, Mr.. Castro explained:
cit is my intention to introduce in
the coming special session of the leg.
islature a joint resolution providing
for the appointment of three compe-
tent persons, for the purpose of thor
oughly Investigating and examining
into the matter of establishing in our
Territory an office for the benefit of
our homesteaders. This office is to be
known as the Territorial Homestead.
ers' Office of Advances and Deposits, ;
and its business will be in general the
advancing of money to all persons who
acquire land from the Territory in
terms prescribed for homesteading.
"This resolution is, of course, to be
presented with the hope that the leg.
islature will pass upon favorable
amendments to the Organic Act.
Favors Amendments.
"The proposed amendment to Sec.
ton 73 of the Organic Act has at this
time my unqualified approval, and If
the legislature should pass it substan-
tally as proposed, and congress ac-
cepts it, the land policy of this Ter.
ritory will be based on the same prin-
ciple as the land laws applicable to
the several States. But with all the
soundness of this policy and the lib
eral terms granted by the Territory
under the proposed amendment to in.
tended homesteaders for the acquisi-
ton of agricultural land, a great deal
in another direction can be done to as
sist the homesteader in improving his
land, build his home and transport his
produce to the place Of market.
Territory Can Help.
GA study of methods carried on by
several communities has enabled me to
conceive the ACCESSIBILITY of providing
means whereby the territorial govern
ment may advance to the homesteader
the financial aid necessary to put him
On his feet. 1t can be easily done;
and | have every reason to believe
that Governor Frear's administration
will not end without the establishment
of such an office. because it is his
aim to do all possible in harmony with
a conservative policy to extend to the
people every opportunity available to
advance them in their pursuits.
Republican Policy.
"I may say that the policy outlined
is also n result of the efforts of the
Republicans. The policy of the Re
publican party in respect to land laws
is being clearly demonstrated. The
lands are held as great free common
for settlers who are willing to ally
themselves with our government and
for the exclusive use of no one.
Will Help Many.
at may be possible that some of oul
legislators will not realize the great
importance of the office and to what
e extent it will contribute. 1t may bt
e n means of benefting all the people
: and not the homesteaders alone. Tht
fact that homesteaders may be able t.
receive financial aid from the govern
4 ment at low rate of interest may b'
Q instrumental in lowering the rates Of
g interest generally charged to persons
a borrowing money upon security o.
mortgages and otherwise. While tru'
that the establishment of such an of
fee may diminish the incomes of few
persons resident within our districts i
however will benefit thousands o
others. The matter of exempting home
. steAderS from taNatlon WHlie qudlily III
4 for a patent may come about in tn
= next session of the legislature.
Money from Bonds.
" "Tt may be claimed that the Terri
e tory has not at present sufficient fund
IT for the establishment of such an Office
70 Let it be true, but the Territory ca
lie very easily be authorized to issue on
IN half million dollars or more Of bonds a
l. rate of interest not higher than fou
Is per cent BY raising money at thre
SO or four per cent. the Territoy can AZ
n, vance financial aid at n little highe
u. rate. not more than one-half per cen
additional, TO the homesteader.
Railway Bonuses.
"The construction of railroads wit
r financial aid from the government wi
' also be looked into, In passing amen,
ments TO the Organic Act that wi
AZ effect change for the better the loel
lari siatuVa must alan leulHluto