VICTORIAN LAND REFORM LEAGUE.

Evening Star, Issue 3263, 5 August 1873, Page 3

VICTORIAN LAND REFORM LEAGUE.

The final form of land tenure is a queJion now earnestly debated in Victoria. That aoouer or later public opinion must take the shape it is assuming there, has been evident to the soundest thinkers ou political and social economy ; amongst whom may be classed the late John Stuart Mill. We received by the last mail Tract No. 7, published by the Laud Tenure Hefeim League, on Political Economy, accompanied by several extracts from different journals comments g upni the movement. The Melbourne Church News says:—“ln England the land question is remedial; in Victoria it is merely preventive. The land tenure reformers wished to prevent the condition of the Victorian and Australian laborer from deteriorating to that of his English brother. As we have said, the goal is the comfort of the masses ; the motive powers appear to be several ; the first stroke being the stoppage of all land sales, and its consequence, the prevention of the accumulation of land that would be let at high rents. Then the leasing of the State, so as to always preserve an equitable rental on the multiplication of population, with its accompanying demand for land to cultivate. Finally the receipt of an immense revenue from ground rents of township allotments, mining leases and rents for pastoral and agricultural lands ; and with tins immense revenue a cessation of all other taxes on the necessaries of life and otherwise,” . . . “ South Australia, it would seem, is also awakening to similar truths.” The League has published a rdsnmd of its principles and objects, the latter of which are “1. The immediate cessation of the sale of all drown Lands. 2. The fee simple of the public domain to vest in perpetuity in the State—(that is, the people in their corporate capacity.) 3. Occupancy, with fixity of tenure and right of transfer, subject to rental for revenue purposes. 4. Land already alienated from the State to be repurchased by the State—no re-sale to individuals to be permitted. 5. The gradual abolition of all indirect taxes whatever. The revenue of the State to be derived solely from the rentals of land.” Such are the objects. We may observe that the Society is advocating nothing new. Some twelve or fourteen years ago, a similar movement was attempted in Victoria, but it was too soon : the public were not prepared for it. Judging by the headway already made by the new League, the under-current has gained strength, and its doctrines must become uppermost in dL mission, not only in Australia but in New Zealand. They will stand or fall by their truth or falsehood.