After War Problems.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 365, 5 April 1918, Page 4

After War Problems.

TO THE EDirOE Sir,—The excellent article on " After War Problem's " by Mr Tidd should be widely read for there is need for awakening on this question. ' We must be prepared either for the change of " the old order " or else disaster! as Mr Tidd wisely shows. Increased productivity alone can save the country from that ugly word " Repudiation." Personally, while favouring Mr Tidd's objects, I think a somewhat different method would have better results. First of all is the land Without that we would be " at sea " in more senses than one. We must look, not only at the commercial, but also the moral side. •' The land is The Father's table " and to withhold it from mankind is "a sin against God and a crime against humanity." That is we must not be greedy about land holding. The commercial side says, " Land is not capital." Commonsense says we must not tax industry What are we to do then ? Tax opportunities, in other words land values, regard less of the work or lack of work of the occupier. Merely the " opportunities " the occupier has to make money. If a situation is in a front street of a city, or near a railway station or pert, it has better

" opportunities " than a situation in the backblocks. This would not interfere with that farce " the freehold " for legitimately used land but would prevent land monopoly or land speculation. But free land without free capital to use on it is no good. I maintain we will have to go in for " collective credit," that is a state guaranteed " overdraft " at a bank, operated by district committees, say branches of the Farmers' Union—a modification of the Baffeisen Agricultural Banks. We will also have to farm more sensibly and scientifically. Stock will have to be graded

" up," on Mendelion lines, and only " down " graders fatted and slain. Grass will have to be allowed to have some leaves to breathe with and stock will have to be allowed the food and medicine of change, lacking which we are poorer now by millions than we need be. Educa-

tion will have to go on all our lives by at least monthly lectures in each district. Buying and selling will be matters of need, not matters of speculation, with State direction, so that the producer will get a fair price and the consumer will not be exploited and ail the dispossessed parasites on the farmer can go on the land and be useful instead of obstructive. Interest should be abolished for the future and present interest bought out by State pensions not exceeding £1 per day. Now you greedy ones do not roar, but answer me : Who is going to pay our soldiers' principle and interest on their lives, bodies and healths they gave us ? All this is not much to .say but if carried out would make this old world a much nicer place to live in and then " they shall sit every man under his vine and under his figtree, and none shall make them afraid."—l am, etc.,

SAM. A. BROWNE, Clevodon, 31 3/18.