LAND AGGREGATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1736, 29 April 1913, Page 4

LAND AGGREGATION.

Sir,—l see there is a great (leal of fuss being made about aggregation of landed estates just non r . That there arc certain parts of the country where some aggregation of estates has occurred may l)e quito true, just as iu other parts of the iountry subdivision has been taking place, I li.ivo no, doubt,-on a much larger scale than tho aggregation: Surely if-this is so, it must be based on some economic reason. I take it; that tho reason is that wliero tho• conditions aro : such, as to bo favourable for small holdings, cither from the quality of tho land or its position as regards facilities of transport, there tiio : land will be cut up into small holdings, and thero small holdings will continuo fis such as Ions: es the conditions remain favourable. "If, on. tho contrary, tho quality of the land is such as to render it purely pastoral, and the facilities of transport are meagre, or expensive, thero will be an inducement to enlarge holdings, because under such conditions largeholdings are more economically worked. The one or other process will be followed out on economic grounds, and any interference with such is not likely, to benefit tho State. The fact is that many havo falcon up small holdings and expended their labour, 'n clearing, glassing, and fencing, but then find their prospects cramped if they cannot -enlargo their holding. The consequence is they either buy or sell to a neighbour. Tho seller usually I buys another property, or repeats tho ! samn process of taking up perhaps a larger section of Crown lauds, in order to fall and grass it. Whether they eventually sell it or not, they have increased the production of tho country. If our legislation is directed to counteract this natural tendency, it should bo very- careful as to its methods. To bind a man to stick to his original section, or only sell it to someone who must not own more, would be a forceable interference with an economic position whic.i, like all such methods, is likely to be injurious, not only to tho individual, but to the community also. We already have such a land tax on large holdings lliat' they cannot be held at a profit to the holders if the land is suitable for small holdings.—l am, etc., W. J. BIRCH. . jipril 23, 1913.