Henry George and Land Values

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 83, 5 October 1897, Page 4

Henry George and Land Values

0 The nomination of Mr Henry George for the Majoralty of N»w York revives ■ome old memories. At one time nobody in New Zealand could be a true Liberal unless he were also a Georgite and a land nationaliaer. Then Mr MeKenzie came along and proved that George was all wrong. George had ads vocattd leases of a moderate duration, with periodical revaluation!, the right of renewal, and with improvements iecured to tbe maker of thsm. These principles were put in an Act now on the Statute Book by Mr Bolleaton, the author of the perpetual lease system in the country, and until the advtnt of " Honest Jock " considered one of tbe most Liberal and level-headed land law reformers in Australia. But, as we have said, the Hero of Bushy Park came along, and he proved that George was all wrong. He showed that revaluations of State lands ought not to take place, and that leases ought to be for a thousand years less one. Consequently the old idea that the State ougbt to eet tbe unearned increment went to limbo, and it came to pass that nobody could be a Liberal of the newer and truer kind unless be abjured George and all his works. Presently the fashion will change again, and we shall doubtless have to go back to the ideas which were the sheet anchors of all genuine country -savers in 1886.— Napier Telegraph.