DOMINION LAND VALUES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 820, 18 May 1910, Page 8

DOMINION LAND VALUES.

A WARNING TO IMMIGRANTS.. ■ [To the Editor.] Sir,—When , "G.T.K.'s" letter appeared in your columns about a fortnight ago, making comparison between the price of laud in the Dominion and what it is in other parts of the world, I thought to criticise his figures a bit, having had a long experience in most of the countries mentioned, but thinking no one would be misled, left the matter alone. However, "Farmer's" letter, headed "Off to Queensland," which appears in to-day's issue, shows that distance ''lends enchantment to the view" still, with- some.■'. 1 did not see "X's" letter, to which. "Farmer" refers, so will cqnfine myself to the two copies which I have before me. With regard to the Jong list of advertisements taken from newspapers in other lands, no comparison can he made except one knows the land and conditions. It is now many years sinco-I left the Homo country, but through friends have endeavoured to keep up some knowledge as to the state of matters'there. Some few years ago a friend went Home with the full intention of buying a farm, but, after waiting and inspecting many properties, he decided to come back to the colonies, although ho was -offered arable farms with good steadings at fvoni .Ell)' to ,£ls per acre. Another 'gentleman did buy land in the south of England,' at .£l2, but he has come back, and reinvested in the Dominion; but there is not much chance of farmers leaving here for England.Australia and her vagaries I venture to say I know as well as most. "G.T.K." quotes the prices of Canowie Estate land ■ . TV i| i, T well. One.of the best tracks of sheep country for .wool-growing in the Southern Hemisphere—deep, rich soil. What percentage -is ploughable without the aid of the stump-jumping plough it is hard to estimate, but, as far as memory goes, I should say not more than seventy; and in ray day on the ■ farms adjoining Canowie, the cjwuers were only able to hold their own, although you could buy a farm—fenced, and good stone buildings— at £2 per acre. I forgot to say that stones' are most in evidence, which is the reason why it is so difficult to cultivate the' land. I consider £b 12s. 6d. per acre on the average for that land dear land—dearer than most in New Zealand. But, as already said, you must inspect before valuing. What I want more particularly to point out to those thinking of emigrating to Australia is, the .uncertainty of climate. Never since Australia was first occupied have they enjoyed such a long term of fat years; but as sure'as the sun will rise to-morrow they will get lean years, and that in tho near future. This is not the time to buy land in Australia.' Wait until the drought sets in, when you will be able to- buy land at £1 or £2, and if financially strong enough to await the break-up, you may be able to resel! at the prices quoted to-day— Jg> to .£lO. "Farmer" seems to have been unfortunate inhis farming in the Dominion, and he will find many like himself where he is going. •• In fact, sad to say, they are to bo found in every land. With regard to what he says that he is unable to sell his produce, it must be away back, surely, as. chaff is in strong demand in the M.inawatu, at M, oats 2s. Gd., or better, and wlw.it 3s. 9d. "Farmer's" remarks with regard to the present demand for draught horses shows to me to point ; the reverse they.do to him, as the. reason there is such a demand for horses is ■ that during the last long drought breeders got so disheartened at the low prices that they stopped breeding. Besides, how many thousands perished? Now during the fat years horses are not available, but will be- in plenty in the course of another year or so, especially should dry weather i-ct in, as there is every likelihood. Has "X." or "Farmer" no friends thatown 500 acres that they do not know we have got.such a blessing as a graduated land tax? Personally, until reading this letter I did not. think it possible that • there was anyone in the Dominion who had been farming 20 years that did not know we had a graduated land tax. As for blaming the pet scheme of (lie Government, the land for Settlement Act, for raising the value of. land, that is. beyond a joke—a real baek-hander to the friends of the struggling "cockie." I can imagine "Farmer" "talking to a .friend in o hotel" when he reaches Australia, and some stranger hears him saying that he had left Now Zealand owing to tho high price of land, which was owing to our having, no "graduated land tax" and the "Lands for Settlement Act." when the stranger ehipps in and (ells him that he has been, enjoying die blessings, of a graduated' tax for years,' and that the

farmers in the 'Commonwealth liavo and are forcing the Governments of the. different States to follow our example in "repurchasing ltiiid." Fanners in all countries labour under various disabilities, but the main faclor in all is climate, and it. has to bo acknowledged New Zealand is the most favourable' of the lot. So that I would warn farmers against leaving it for a land so uncertain as Australia.—l am, ore, MOUTON VEIUX.