DESPOILING THE COUNTRY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8342, 31 January 1913, Page 6

DESPOILING THE COUNTRY

Tho Hon. ML F. Alassey's exuberant promises before be cam© into power of indiscriminate freeholds to Crown tenants is evidently causing that gentleman some heart-searching now that the responsibilities of office aro upon his shoulders. Probably even he cannot be content to view the sacrifice of valuable coal deposits and other desirable slices of tho public estate with absolute equanimity. When Mr Massey was in Rotorua, an influential deputation of his freehold supporters waited upon. him. They are also leaseholders in so far that they hold township sections in Rotorua on drown lease, which sections have become of immense value by reason of the considerable expenditure of public money and tho consequent great growth of population. Of course, these disinterested supporters of Mr Massey wanted the freehold,. at the original value if possible, but if not, at the nearest approach to a suitable concession to their jiolitical convictions and their pockets. It was in contemplation of this awkward and unexpected situation that Mr Massey's freehold heart failed him. Ho regretted that he could not give a definite reply at tho moment. land in Rotorua, he knew, was held on terms and conditions different from those anywhere else in New Zealand. Ho was not well acquainted with tho leases in Rotorua, and all he could do was to undertake to submit the matter referred to him to the Crown law officers and ask them to report upon them. Ho understood that a good deal of speculation—and some objectionable speculation—was going on in connection with the leases. People who advocated leasehold argued that it prevented speculation, but he happened to know that speculation was even commoner with leasehold than with freehold. However, this was dodging the issue. It is immaterial whether or not there is speculation in leaseholds. The point is whether Mr Massey is going to give these particular Rotorua supporters of his tho right to convert town lots that have become immensely valuable into freeholds at “the original value” and enable them to despoil the country, for their immediate profit, of a magnificent share of the public estate. The Rotorua “freeholders” are -still waiting for their answer. If it is favourable, the holders of city leases from municipal bodies and harbour boards would be ■well advised to organise and fall into line with the other “freeholders.” The hour of spoliation has come.