IDLE LAND: IDLE MEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 293, 10 December 1910, Page 10

IDLE LAND: IDLE MEN.

(To the Editor.'. Sir, —I-t is a difficult task to convince] a man like . Arthur Withy, whose i every brain cell is liilcd with single tax ; theories, that he has not discovered the whole truth about what effect the; single tax on land values would have lin relation to the welfare of the world's: inhabitants at tlie pTesent time. Al single tax on land values with "free"! exchange of labour products all over thej world would no doubt be an ideal state of things, 'but it is entirely out] of the range of practical politics. I] have no time just now to deal with the', single tax, but may tell Mr. Withy that cheap land is not a sign of prosperity. At the present moment we are the most prosperous people on this earth, and this prosperity is chiefly caused by land getting dear. The wages are high, and it is almost impossible to get a carpenter or any other man to do a day's work, even if it is a constant job. This is a good sign, and shows that everybody has purchasing power. Cheap land is impossible, and undesirable at the present time. There is now quite enough land being used in the world, and quite enough produce be- ; ing raised and goods manufacturled to keep prices of products at a payable price, so that the farmer, manufaoj turer, distributor, and all engaged In mii dustries can get a fair profit.—l am, etc., A. SANEOED.