LABOUR’S LAND POLICY.

Shannon News, 15 September 1922, Page 3

LABOUR’S LAND POLICY.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—'The New Zealand Welfare League accuses Mr McCombs, M.P., of omitting portions of the land platform of the New Zealand Labour Party. To prevent any misconception, I enclose herewith, a copy of same, which we are prepared to discuss with the Welfare or any other League or person, on any public platform in the Dominion:—

1. The conservation of the national endowment.

2. The recognition of the Interests of the whole community in the land by—

(a) A land tenure based on occupancy and use, which shall secure to the working farmer the full fruits of his labour and exertions. (b) The securing to the community

of all values created by the community. (c) The elimination of exploitation—(l) of the working farmer by the institution of a State Bank; (2) of the community by securing for it the rent of the land,

now absorbed principally by the money-lending institutions. (d) The tenant’s absolute right to improvements. (e) Improved road access in rural districts by the increased graduated tax on large estates.

3. (a) A State valuation of all pri-vately-owned land, such valuation to remain on record a$ the measure of present landholder’s interest in land. (b) That privately owned land shall not be sold or transferred except to the State. (,e) The owner shall have the right to surrender his land on tb* valuation set out in sub-clause (a). 4 (a) The immediate discontinuance of the present wasteful method of destroying valuable timber and placing settlers on unroaded land. (b) All virgin land to be prepared for occupation by the State hafore settlement. (c) The State to undertake all development work, and, when advisable, land so developed shall form the nucleus of State farms. (d) Every encouragement to all forms of agricultural co-opera-tion. (e) Municipal and all local governing bodies to have unrestricted powers -to own farms and to run town milk supplies and other social services as found necessary.

As showing how political opinion has decayed in this country, it isonly necessary to look up the speeches of Grey and Ballance back in the 70’s and 80's when advocating above platforms.—l am, etc., J. W. THOMPSON.