THE POINT OF VIEW

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 6, 2 October 1920, Page 8

THE POINT OF VIEW

FREEHOLD VERSUS ENDOWMENT. During tho debate, on tho Te Aroha Leases Bill in tho House last night, Mri J.. P. Luke (Wellington North) stated

himself to be a supporter of the freehold tenure. Ho was sure that the granting of tho' freehold would be for the Denefit of the people of Te Aroha. ■ These remarks brought tho member for Pahiatiua (Mr. M'Nicol) to his feet. Somo Battlers in tho Pahiatua district, said Mr. M'Nicol, held lea6o> of sndowment land belonging to the Wellington City Council. These farmers had been endeavouring for some timo to obtain tlio freehold, and they and .tho district would benefit if they were grantea the hotter tenure. They had been holding the land ' on a fourteen years' lease, the rcntai lieing i per cent, on tho unimproved value. Some of tho farmers, after staying a long time and greatly improving the land, had been told now that tlio City Council had decided to increase tho' rents. These men wore placed in a very awkward lwsition. They had ■ mado tho farms. They were good farmers and hard-working thoy deserved ' all they had mado. ' Mr. M'Nicol asked if Mr.. Luke, who was Maj'or of Wellington, would support on tlio City Council the views that ho had expressed in the House.