Land Nationalisation.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 61, 10 May 1912, Page 13

Land Nationalisation.

« SOME GREAT MEN'S OPINIONS.

Herbert Spencer, who was a vigorous opponent of Socialism, instead of pronouncing land nationalisation to bo "dangerous and wicked," dwlared that "Equity docs not permit property in land." And ho goes on to say: "The theory of tho co-hoirship of all men to the sdil (in other words, tlio nationalisation of land) is consistent with the highest form of civilisation; and however difficult it may bo to embody that theory in fact, equity sternly commands it to be done." W. E. Gladstone said in 1870: "Personality does not impose limitations on tho action and industry of man, and tho well-being of the community, as tlie possession of land does, and therefore I freely own that compulsory appropriation (of land) is a thing which is admirable, and even sound in principle." J. A. Froudo says: "Land, properly speaking, cannot be owned by any man; it belongs to all the, human race." Frederic Harrison says: "We must be ready to act on the ancient principle of English law, that tho nation is the ultimate owner of the soil." John Ruskin says: "Rodies of men, land, water and air are the principal of those things which are not, and which it is criminal to consider as personal or exchangeable property." Sir William Blaekstone, tho groat lawyer, says: "Accurately and strictly speaking, thero is no foundation in nature or in natural law why a set of words o* parchment should convoy the dominion of land." Judgo Hughes says: "The first thing which the democracy will write upon tho slate will bo nationalisation of the R. W. Emerson says: "While another man has no land, my title to mine, your title to yours, is at once vitiated." John Stuart Mill says: "Tho land of every country belongs to the people cf that country."