WEALTH OF TARANAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 April 1917, Page 7

WEALTH OF TARANAKI.

To the Editor. Sir, —In reply to Mr Sargent, the most vital question I asked in ray previoo letter he has not answered, that is, what has the rent eolleeted and money for land sold by the State done to wipe out -protected industries? To go tack 25 years, the so-called Liberal Party came into power, the proportion of people living outside towns wis about 32 and 48. The position now is exactly reversed, and land becomes dearer eaoli year. About 70 years ago land round Hawera was being sold for £2O per acre, and land in other parts of New Zealand correspondingly. Did people reach the land? No, they packed into the towns. Their wages have risen until they are about 50 per cent, higher now than then, but they are no better off. A man living in a town, and rearing a family under present conditions could not acquire a home in a lifetime, Some 15 years ago a land boom started in Wellington. Syndicates were cutting up blocks of land in all the sublirbs. Sections were being offered at from £7O to £2OO. Eight- or nine years ago the boom burst and sections are being offered at £SO downwards, and very few buyers. The interest ov the money, with local tax'es, was the cause of tho downfall. Mr Sargent, in his previous letter, said if people were forced to e»lt or let they would still get tit© present inflated values. The holders ill Wellington could not do it. Now coming U the town of New Plymouth, rents are very high, yet there are hundreds of vacant sections, but the price is prohibitive, which is detrimental to the town as well as its people. In reference to Mr. Sargent's lease in perpetuity, I hope it will he in New Zealand after many years of lif». -T-I am, etc,, ,w ■ ' 'TROGRJ^S."