A CURIOUS ANOMALY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 12 September 1907, Page 2

A CURIOUS ANOMALY.

To the Editor. Sir,—At a time when the air is loaded with arguments concerning the future land tenure of thia country, it is somewhat amusing to see those who are continually condemning the lease-in-perpe-tuity system, at the same time buying up all the small holdings they can lay hands on; thereby crushing out all the small farmers. Now, sir, X know one gentleman who only a few days ago bought out three settlers in this locality and it is rumored that the same man is about to buy out two more. That means, of course, disaster to the district, inasmuch as there will be only one family in future where there are five now. More especially all these farms are abutting on the main road; therefore, it is quite obvious that aggregation is steadily going on. Looking at this policy from an industrial and commercial point of view, it must inevitably destroy the growth of settlement. I have always looked on the members of the Tarauaki Land Board as a body of sensible, practical men, and if they have been a little apathetic in the pa-it, I hope they will be more vigilant in future and save the struggling man from the exploitation of the speculator. Thanking you in anticipation.—l am, etc., ICOHURATAHI.