THE LASEHOLD TENURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1591, 23 October 1905, Page 2

THE LASEHOLD TENURE.

With three candidates in the hold for Waiapu the electors are promisod the koonest contost witnessed for many a long day. In his candidature along the East Coast Mr Wall has been stoadily gaining ground, hie attitude on the land question bringing him into groat favor with property owners. Mr Wall advocates that the leaseholder should have the right to acquire the froohold of his property at tho original valuo, maintaining, that the presont value placed upon it is duo

sntirely to the industry and hardships axperionced by the 6oloctor. He coujOnds that the increased value of tho property rightly belongs to tho holder, to whom should be accorded the privilodge of converting his loaso into a freehold. The question that must arise in tho minds of those who carefully consider tho matter is, why should tho State be imposed upon iu the manner suggested, seeing that for the most part it gave to tho property the increased value placed thereupon ? Roads, railways, aud telegraphs, tho cost of which all come out of the consolidated fund, gave to the property its enhanced value, and why should this be parted with without somo comI pensation ? Would any private individual deal with his own propoty in the same manner ? Would anyone

ivho lot a pioco oi ianu, say twenty goal's, at a shilling an acre, and which was now worth ten shillings an acre, lispose of it at a capital value worked jut at five per cent, on the former imount ? We must emphatically say that he would not do so. Therefore, why should the State be made the milch cow that the Opposition desire it should be ? By all means allow every leaseholder to acquire his freehold, but let the price to bo paid for the land bo the present Government valuation or something near the mark. The members of the Opposition party are endeavoring to make capital out of this question during the present election, but they must be taught that they must be just before they are generous. To give every leaseholder his freehold at the original value is simply robbing the people of what rightly belongs to them, and we are pleased that the Government are setting their face against the attempts of the Opposition to force the matter on the country. If, as argued at the meeting of the Farmers’ Union on Saturday, a fair value is to be arrived at it would be a different matter; but even then it is debatable whether other desirable settlers, besides the fortunate one in possession, should not have an opportunity to make an offer if the freehold is to be given in placo of leasehold.