THE LAND HUNGER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 21 February 1913, Page 4

THE LAND HUNGER.

The fact that there are three or four hundred applicants for a section of land in a favoured locality, is not evidence of the existence of a land hunger. Bather is it evidence of a desire on the part of speculators to make a "rise." That a genuine demand for land exists in New Zealand is apparent to all. The demand has existed for the last twenty or thiriy years, and it will become .more pressing as the years go on. It is to the everlasting discredit of past Administrations that they not only failed to acquire land for 'closer settlement when it was offered to them, but they neglected to throw open those areas with which' they were possessed. The consequence has been that the price of land has gone up enormously, and it is almost impossible for the Government, even if it has the money, to acquire estates at reasonable orices. What is to happen in the future, time alone can tell. A policy of confiscation through taxation cannot lie justified; but the will be compelled to adopt some mea:ire which .will bring the waste areas under cultivation. There is no evidence, so far, that the legislation of last session is going to be effective.