THE LAND BILL.

Press, Volume V, Issue 13598, 6 December 1909, Page 7

THE LAND BILL.

TO -BOS XDITOft OF "T_B PBISS." Sir, —I.hardly think that either you or Mr Massey do Sir Joseph Ward justice in your attacks, in which you charge him with abandoning his principles on the land question. Surely we have many instances of leading statesmen having changed their minds with regard to some of i_e greatest principles that have ever been before the British Parliament. I need only refer to Sir Robert Peel, Mr Gladstone, and Mr Chamberlain, all of them the names of some of the greatest statesmen that England has ever produced. All these great men gave way, .when they found it was absolutely necessary, on most important and vital questions, and I hardly think that you" would accuse them of doing so for the sake of retaining office. Our Prime Minister has at last convinced himself that the desire of obtaining the freehold is becoming universal, and surely he deserves credit, rather than censure, for endeavouring to carry out the desires of those people who wish to turn their leaseholds into freeholds. I should have thought it would have been greatly to the advantage of the cause if you" had cordially praised Sir Joseph for endeavouring to carry out the views with regard to the freehold which you and Mr Massey have 6o persistently and eloquently advocated. —Yours, etc., H. W'YNN-WILLL_MS.

We have referred to this letter in our leading columns. —Ed., "The Press."] -*