THE CROWN LANDS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5733, 14 August 1879, Page 3

THE CROWN LANDS.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —I take the liberty, if you will allow me a small space in your valuable columns, to make public what I have long thought, and which I believe many others think, would be an excellent plan with regard to the State property or Crown lauds, as so-called, of this colony. lam quite aware.it will be thought impossible to be put into practice ; nevertheless, it is worth while to ventilate the idea, and see if there is any leaven in it, if so, there will be good done. Briefly, then, on the principle that the State is tbe people, and all lands belong to the State, I should advocate the letting of lands, and not selling an acre. You will say it is too late. I think not. It is too late with the lands that are sold (except under some arrangement), but it is not too late with lands that are about to be acquired by the State. I notice there is to be some hundreds of thousands of pounds of the money about to be borrowed set aside to buy up land. Now instead of selling that land to individuals in the State, it should all be fairly leased to the people at a large percentage on its purchase, or a small percentage ou its selling value. Let it be put up to auction like other leases at an upset price, under certain well-defined and carefully-considered conditions, and its fair value would be obtained, the leaseholder to have tbe preemptive right to renew his lease on expiry at the then value. This, I venture to think, would have the following effect : —l. It would prevent the land getting into the hands of a few persons. 2. it would give the bulk of the people a direct interest in the country and land of their adoption or birth. 3. It would give a constantly-increasing income to the Government, and lessen the necessity for that grinding taxation which threatens us. I venture to say the income derivable from tips source, and the Customs modified, and a fair and equitable income tax, would be amply sufficient to carry on all the expenses of the government of this country without any other taxes ; whereas now we are going on the old policy, short-sighted enough, of killing the goose for the golden egg—a policy as foolish as suicidal, and unjust to the generations following us. You, sir, are much better able to go into this matter than I am, and I do hope you will at least give these few thoughts to the public, and still further ventilate the subject with your able pen.—l am, &c., F. : J. Litchfield. Blenheim, 11th August, 1879.