MASTERTON SEAT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1291, 21 November 1911, Page 6

MASTERTON SEAT.

MB. SYKES AT KAITAWA. Mr. G. It. Sykcs, one ol the Reform candidates for tho Maslerton seat, addressed tho electors of Kaitawa last Friday ovening. There was a very fair attendance, including several ladies. Tho chair was occupied by Jfr. Eric Whitcombe. Sir. Sykcs, according to the "I'ahialua Herald's" report, said (hat since lie last spoko at Kaitawa lie had visited every part of the electorate and found that the Krcatesl interest was being manifested in liio campaign, which' was going to be a very strenuous one. He proceeded lo explain that he did not desiro to condemn indiscriminately the Government, lie admitted that a lot of benelicent legislation had been placed on (lie Statute Book, but the present Administration had outlived their usefulness. He dealt at some length wilh questions of finauce and taxation, and then proceeded to the land question. The Reform party wero in favour of granting tho l.i.p. tenants the right to acquire freehold of their sections on the payment of the original value, plus one per cent, capitalisation f«v He pointed out that the leasehold tenure was a distinctly bad one for the State, inasmuch as the land held undei thai tenure did not pay any land tax. lie maintained that it was an insecure tenure. A Fair Kent liill had been frequently introduced, and if ever passed into law all rents would bo subject to adjustment,. The Reform party believed that settlers should have t.lio facilities to obtain the freehold if they so desired. Hundreds of young fellows were leaving New Zealand for other countries, because land was not at present available in the Dominion. Tho Government; had failed to take advantago of the opportunity afforded thorn of acquiring certain estates in the Masterlon electorate which had been voluntarily offered them at a reasonable price. Vast areas of Native and Crown lands were now lying in an unproductive state. These lands should bo immediately settled. It was useless, however, to expect tho Native lands to be opened up whilst tho "taihoa" policy prevailed. Tho candidate was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.