THE LAND AND THE MAN

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 50, 27 August 1925, Page 4

THE LAND AND THE MAN

.. Ifc must be admitted that it is too late in the day to oppose the freehold land policy which the Reform Government has brought into operation; but it is not too late .to urge most strongly that the greatest caution should be exercised in extending that policy. In dealing with national endowment lands there is a double call for caution. These endowments have been made with the purpose of providing a source of income which will rise steadily in value. The present value of the endowments may not' bp great, but the Government has a duty to safeguard also the prospective value. A mere transfer of the proceeds of a sale of endowment lands will not be sufficient. There must be some assurance that the new investment will in the future be as valuable as the land which is being sold. The other objection to alienation, is the general objection that applies to the whole freehold policy—the loss of control which opens the way to speculation and aggregation. The Minister of Lands evidently had this in mind when he announced his intention of introducing legislation tc enable lessees-in-perpetuity to acquire the freehold " subject to limitations and proper safeguards against aggregation." He did not state what these limitations and safeguards would be; but if he has no proposals better than those already in operation, or than the suggested tax on transfers, we cannot agree that the measures are adequate. Statements have been made definitely that aggregation continues, and the Government has not met the charge effectively. As author of the freehold policy, the Government has a duty to prove that it is not being abused. Figures showing an increase in occupied holdings are • not a sufficient answer. We hope that the Government will not evade this issue, but will meet it squarely. Until it does so it is jiot justified in extending the freehold.