HOPE ON THE LAND?

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 300, 20 December 1938, Page 10

HOPE ON THE LAND?

FICTITIOUS VALUES A BAR.

(To the Editor.)

Mr. Xoel Oilisoii, headmaster of Dihvorth School, is reported as having said there is no hope on the land. Mr. Vailc, in following the matter up, gave it as his opinion that the high rate of wages makes fanning tin profit, able; and it is the Labour Oovcrnment which lias raised wages. But surely we do not want to see colonials 'brought to the level of servij tude of the British yokel. The real reason why there is little inducement for young men to take up farming is the fictitious value placed on land. Land is worth only what it will produce. When allowance i«s made for a comfortable dwelling, the necessary outbuildings, fencing, manure, stock, implements labour and incidentals, the land is worth only such a figure as, when added to the com of the other items, will produce a reasonable profit. Along the Main Trunk, north afid south of Auckland, there are thousands of acre# of land with not a hoof on i(. no ~i ; n of habitation or human being. This land is being held for speculative purpose* an<] the fictitious price stands in the way of it being utilised bv the legitimate farmer. The owners should be given notice that if they do nnt farm it or sell it at its productive value it will be taken over by the Crown at that value. C. K. AKCIiIRALL).