OUR LAND LAWS AND SETTLEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 81, 7 April 1902, Page 2

OUR LAND LAWS AND SETTLEMENT.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Mr- ' Sanford is always propounding on theories of writers Of political economy of years ago, but had they lived to-day they would have to write on land, laws and conditions as we. require them at this present juncture. He deplores the fact that they were unable to see deep enough into, the question. Quite true, the time had not then arrived, but the masses to-day are compelled to look deeper because the earth is being snavelled up by land speculators, and not land-users, who want to live on the labour of others. He is very anxious to settle our land with a class of men who will make it productive; and here let me ask what will our city landlord speculators produce, and in his own words I will answer him: Nothing more nor less than the power to increase rent-paying, for which he is such an ardent advocate, and into whose pocket the riches of the poor industrious worker will filter. What in the name of goodness does he call spare value? Seek an explanation; - and as for borrowed money to pay men on public works, this js not of permanent value to the men, but only enhances land values. Mr. Sanford cunningly tries with words to quibble, but he cannot deceive the Henry George students who recognise a service for a service, but what service in creation does the' parasite landlord, render, and the theories t; of this grand man, Henry George, and Sir George Grey, are not yet exploded and smokeless, but just fanning into one of the brightest flames that will yet illuminate the world, and bring joy and happiness to every worker when they will get the full reward of their own labours. Mr. Sanford always gives himself away very badly on the land question, and in his own words he always con-' demns himself, and here they are: "Land value- represents the price that we will give to be. allowed to pocket the rent that land will yield." Now, Mr. Sanford, where does this land lie —in Queen-street or the backblocks? In conclusion, it is unnecessary always to be so mindful of the poor struggling farmer, who is to be ruined; but Henry George has taken him into consideration more kindly than Mr. Sanford.—L am, etc., f ,