Land Tenures

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 190, 10 May 1934, Page 11

Land Tenures

Sir, —<Mr. Sisson says: "Nationalisation of land means going into a coma.’’ Ido not know what he intends s by that phrase, but perhaps he will explain. In any case, I think he has no more reason for suggesting that land nationalisation means going into a coma than I have for saying that it leads straight to the millcnium—for this reason, that the system has not yet been tried in any conn try. Mr. Sisson says that if we wish this country to live in progress, then leave us private ownership of land, as that system always leads to giving all the people the highest standard of living. Where has Mr. Sisson been during the past three years? Surely not in New Zealand 1 The highest standard of living! Unemployed men are receiving 7/6 per week sustenance money—over 70,000 relief workers (20 per cent, of, our manhood) are receiving, ou an average, £1 per week. Is this what Mr. Sisson regards as the highest standard of living? This writer asks: “Is not this depression with all nations in spite of their land policies?” No. Sir. this depression is with us mainly because of our land policies— not entirely, but mainly so. Let us review the positiou. Why'are we engulfed in this economic disaster? First of all. because of the £280.000,000 which the State has borrowed, and on which we have to pay nearly £12,000,000 in interest annually, and nothing to show for most of the money. At least £lOO,000.000 of the borrowed money has gone into the pockets of the private landowners in the shape of increased land values and land prices. So much for public borrowing, but what about private borrowings? It is impossible to say how much these amount to, but certainly not less than £200.000.000, and quite possibly to double that amount. At least £100.000.000 of this privately-borrowed money has also gone into the pockets of the private laudowners in the form of increased selling prices of land. It is borrowed money which is mainly responsible for landing us where we are to-day. and tlie desire to increase the value and the selling price of land has been the prime motive for these gigantic borrowings. Consequently private property in land stands condemned as the main cause of our economic troubles, and the real cause of our unemployed—not the only cause, but the chief one. Owing to limited newspaper space. I will reserve further remarks for a Intel letter.—T am. etc.. ED. BOOCOCK. Island Bay, May 9.