POLITICAL JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1926, Page 3

POLITICAL JOTTINGS

BIG ESTATES. That many holders of large areas of lands are now only too willing to subdivide if there is a demand for their holdings, was an assertion made by the Hon R. Scott (Otago) in the Legislative Council yesterday.

The Hon A. F. Hawke (Southland) said the reduction of land values was highly desirable, but if values in counties .were reduced at present, rates would have to go up. TTe did not blame the country boy wishing to leave his home and go to the city, which doubtless provided a big attraction during the past five years. Rut he was firm in the belief that if values remained stable for three years, the .drift would be reversed, and the country would provide a greater attraction as a ' place of residence. The Hon IT. L. Michel (Westland) stressed the pressing need for greater subdivision of land for closer settlement. “A great deal of nonsense has been talked of land values,” he said. “ There is only one value of land. That is the market price; and no Government can or dare resume land except at this value. The present time is suitable for this, because land is lower than it was two or three years

ago.” The Hon R. Scott (Otago) said unquestionably many people were holding too large areas of land. “Perhaps I myself have too much,” ho said, “but we cannot help it. We bought the land and paid a certain price for it. and we are just carrying on holding it. There is no demand for it at present, so what can we do? A great many farmers are quite prepared to engage skilled, industrious and efficient farm labourers now, but they scannot do so on account of the high price they have paid for their land. "The greater danger which faces the country to-day is the continuous drift of the population to the towns; and the Government will have to do something to stem the tide and provide some inducement for the people to live in the country.”