SIR JULIUS VOGEL ON NATIONALISATION OF LAND.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1868, 26 June 1884, Page 2

SIR JULIUS VOGEL ON NATIONALISATION OF LAND.

Sir Jdlips Vogeh, when speaking at Ashburton, in answer to some one who asked for his opinion on the scheme for the nationalisation of the land, said : I do not think that a greater piece of humbug was ever introduced into this Colony than this idea of nationalisation of the land. W.hafc it may be for other countries I shall not say ; but here, where the Ciown has millions of acres to dispose of, to think of buying up the estates of those who have already purchased seems to me to be not only the height of absurdity, but a proposal that must lead to the grossest possible jobbery. What would be the case ? M. So-and-So, who wants to sell Ins estate, would become an ardent advocate of land nationalisation in his district, and the Government will, for various reasons which are known to a Government, urge that they were impelled by circumstances, in the interests of the community, to buy back this land, when they had already an immense quantity of their own. As regards perpetual leasing, my opinion is this : The Government have a large estate at their disposal, and it is for them to sell it in such a way as it may be best cultivated, at the same time suiting those who choose to obtain it. If persons want it on deferred payments, let them ; have it on deferred payments. If persons j were so stupid as to prefer holding under a lease to obtaining a freehold, we should satisfy them. I should say, however, that every prudent man will be actuated by that earth-hunger which I believe to be one of the greatest causes of the advancement of this country. This perpetual leasing is a new sort of fad on the part of Mr Rolleston, who has succeeded in getting some people to pay a very large price for this land. You may put me down for a fool if you do not live to see all these leaseholders trying all they can to induce the Government to give them the laud in fee simple.

One of the greatest mathematicians of our time is a Jady of the highest Russian families, Mdme. Kovaieflski, the widow of the well-known Russian naturalist. She took the doctor's degree ,in 1874 at Gottingen, and is a«id to be euthusit aatipfjfy devoted, to ber profeaawo^