THE LAND SHARK

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8361, 22 February 1913, Page 4

THE LAND SHARK

This is the heading of an article in a recent issue of the “Mangaweka Settler” drawing pointed attention to a new evil that has, it is alleged, suddenly developed under the Hon. W. h • Massey’s much-vaunted freehold system and that, if the statements of our contemporary are true, is calculated to prejudice the cause of legitimate land settlement and work much eventual mischief to the well-being of the country. We have already dealt with the operations of the land shark at land ballots and in pursuit of Maori estates, but our contemporary has discovered the voracious individual in a new and quite unexpected quarter. The statement is that the land shark is steadily buying up Crown leaseholds with the object of converting them into freeholds for his own immediate profit and with the object of merging them onoe more into large estates. We quite expect that all this will also greatly amuse the Hon. W. F. Massey, and will prompt him to another inspired discourse in tho squatters’ organ on the subject of mare’s nests, but onr duty to tho people nevertheless compels us to give full publicity to the statements made. It is a matter of common knowledge that the land shark is abroad; it is equally well known that he is fattening on the profits from the spoliation of the public ©state that is going on, and if the Hon. W. P. Massey is patriotically anxious for the future welfare and legitimate settlement of New Zealand he will quit laughing and put his administrative foot down heavily in tho right spot. The “Mangaweka Settler” says:—"“The activity of these land sharks to make hay while the suu shines is in evidence all over the Dominion. All through this district there are agents out, their pockets lined with gold in order to tempt the small farmer to take advantage of the Hefarm Governments legislation to convert big leasehold into a freehold and hand it over to tho man possessed of capital. In this manner our best dairying lands are being converted into sheep runs, families are leaving the country, and the townships impoverished. Tho matter is one of serious moment to business men, several of whom, both in Taihapo and Mangawejsa, have already awoke to the grave danger ahead with the ascendancy of sqnatterdom. We have before us the opinion of more than one individual qualified to judge, and if the present rate of ‘mopping up’ the small holdings is continued for another five years, most of the towns along the Main Trunk line will be hopelessly bankrupt." The curse of aggregation is settling down amongst us like a pall. With, few exceptions the big landholder spends his cash in the large centres, he employs little or no labour, and the whole of his requirements come through the ,■ merchants. The country id and around Mangaweka is recognised as of the best, and for grazing purposes is unequalled in any other part of tho North Island. As a result w© now find it tho happy hunting ground of the apostles ,of greed. We are drawing no imaginary picture of the dire results of the curse of aggregation, even in our own midst, and if the Trim© Minister will pay Mangaweka a visit wo will show him over miles of country which once enjoyed close settlement and prosperous ' small farmers—now in the hands of one or two individuals. The manner in which aggregation has been allowed is not only iniquitous, but infamous I In all directions the Octopus maintains such a pull that even the Crown land rangers are apparently struck dumb, for we have no reoollec- ' tion of their having presented any reports dealing with this matter. It is therefore only reasonable that we should ask the pertinent question as to why such exceptional treatment should be meted out to the land grabber! We fully realise the bitterness and hostility our remarks will occasion, but it is our duty, ere it is too late, to draw outside attention to the scandalous manner in which the original intention of land settlement through this district is being tampered with. While the Reform Government are spending tens of thousands in buying up private estates is it unreasonable for ns to ask what are they doing to permit individuals to truck and trade in what has proved to be one of our greatest resources? The lands around Mangaweka, as well as adjacent townships, have proved of considerable value in building up our prosperity, and unless prompt steps are taken to at onoe stem the tide of aggregation in our midst we must suffer the humiliation of being a bankrupt community.”