THE LAND QUESTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10110, 4 October 1910, Page 6

THE LAND QUESTION.

To the Editor.

Sir,—l trust that you will give space to this letter in the columns oi your paper, as I wish to venture a few remarks re the burning question of the day, viz., the land question. I will start off by asserting that no Government that professes the principles of Democracy has any right to take the selling values of land aa a basis of valuation for rental purposes; that is, as far as future Crown landw to be opaned up is concerned. Of course, I am well aware I "hat as far as the cutting up of private lands is concerned, there is no getting away from the fact that the State must get the amount of rent that will represent; interest on the cost of purchase and cutting up estates taken for small settlement. But in dealing with the Crown lands, in my opinion, according to the ethics of Democracy, the valuation should be regulated, by the national debt of the country. I will try to explain myself by first of all pointing out- that there is just aboutgthirty*six million acres of land occupied in New Zealand. The lands should be classed according to their natural producing capacities. To illustrate what I wish' to point out, I will say class these lands intn seven classes, and start at five shillings per acre for the lowest class and jump live shillings on each and every clasa. You will find that you will stxike the average valuation of one pound pel acre. So you see that according to the occupied lands of New Zealand that system of valuation would represent thirty-six milj Hon.. pounds, ai>d four per cent. I struck upon that sum of money, : would represnt close upon a million i and a half of money. In face of this 1 fact the State at the present time does not collect one million of money from the land in each year. But what do wa find our Government doing—simply taking the scllng value of Crown lands as a basis of i valuation for rental purposes. With-, out a doubt this selling value is totally opposed to the principles of | Democracy and justice, and a gross insult to labour. No wonder the bone and sinew of this country is clearing out to other lands. In conclusion, I would point out that a Government that poses as a Democratic Government bases the valuation of Crown lands on the market values, or, in other words, the gambling values, then that Government is only perpetuating the very principle that it proteases to condemn in pri - vate landlordism. Yes, Mr Editor, without a doubt, the selling values of the lands of a country and the unearned increment values are two totally distinct principles, and it is high time that the workers of this country realised this fact and insisted that this principle Jbe fought out next election. I happen to belong to the Leasehold party, arid if ihe Government are going to allow the Crown lands of this country to be bought' up, then the Government would be perfectly justified in demanding the market values—yes, *

let them beat the land-grabbers at their owa game. Thanking you in an ticipation,—l am, etc., CHARLES SMITH. Waihoki Valley.