THE PARAPARA LEASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8126, 4 June 1906, Page 2

THE PARAPARA LEASE.

10 THE EDITOR.

Sib, —In this morning's issue you haye a very pointed letter from C. Jamos, Hawora, pointing out the danger sought to bo covered by clause Id, and also tho greater danger if said clauso is struck out. Now, whilst fully recognising and agreeing with the spirit of the letter, I think it has not gone far o.nough. Capital is always selfish, and you can only gratify it by safeguarding it. You certainly would not attract it unless you did. The question is how best to safeguard capital without sacrificing the best interests of the community—the wealth of the soil, tho wealth of its minerals, the wealth of the rivers and waterfalls of the colony for purposes of electricity, and the hundred and one other forces which make for wraith—by alienating the heritage of the people in perpetuity. There is a way of doing it, I am convinced, and that without either frightening desirable capitalists (note the qualification please) or denying them the just reward of successful speculation. To illustrate: What is to prevent the Government taking any sting out of Clause li by a further clause to the end, proyidmg that in the event of any company or syndicate or capitalist developing any industry to a payable issue, such owner or owners shall be protected in their rights for a period of, say not less than 25 years, with, under certain conditions the option of a further.ls years. In other words, in much the same way as an inventor is now under the patent laws ? I think, Mr Editor, you will agree with me Clause 14, under some such safeguards, would be a blessing to the colony rather than a hindrance, and I trust the Press of the colony, whose interests are bound up in its progress, will in no sense play parrot to a foolish cry, but will look below the surface in the best interests of all, and lead wisely in this matter. —I am, etc., C. J„ Wattson.