AIR SIVERTSEN ON THE LAND QUESTION.

Evening Star, Issue 12989, 7 December 1906, Page 8

AIR SIVERTSEN ON THE LAND QUESTION.

TO TUB JSDITOB. Sir.—Before Air Siverteeii proceeds further with the publication of hi« views on this subject, I should l like to. call in question tho soundness of his premises. In his'hypothetical case he says; “Two workers, each coaming £2, per week—one owns his section and house, which constitutes the freehold ; the other pays 10s per week, which constitutes the leasehold.” 1 pr sumo that when Air Byertsen cays “owns hj s section and houisc” be means that it is his to do as he likes with it. and involves ho right of accepting the highest offer if he wishes to sell. If Mr Sivortsen con-.-edee this point he will see that it alters the complexion of his argument regarding the question of rent, which he says (erroneously, as I hope presently to show) contitutei.' the leasehold. Then, lie says, a goneral rise in wages increases rent. This is conceded, and the result is tho price of tho freehold is increased, and tempts tho investment of capital in its mortgage or purchase, forcing the worker, who has to depend upon the land, to compete with the speculator, who makes his profit out of the worker's .neeuisity by outbidding him and becoming his landlord. Thus, instead of he Leasehold system raising rents, it is tho Preeho.d sy. tern■ that is tho father of landlordism and high rente. A .State lease it) quite distinct from that under the private landlord. There is no reason to fear rack-renting from tho pressure of tire speculator, who cannot co-exist with State leasing. AlorcovtT, with a State lease the rent is a secondary 'consideration. Justice to tho tenant is the first object. Not only aro speculators not permitted to compete with the bona fide worker; tire workers are not. permitted to compete with each o.hcr. Tho .Stale fixes rents on a cool, calm estimate of value, and does, not trust to tho excitement and desperation of competitors in tho auction room, which ha ■ proved so disastrous in the past to many genuine workers, and which is inseparable from the freehold system.—l am, etc.. Jtrnx Law, Jux. Ranfuriy, December 4. BAD LIQUOUK. TO TtTK - KIItTOR. .Sir, —1 think “Watcher” has hit the nail OM tho head irr hie letter to you of yefiter”iy re trad liquor. Now, I would like to know—and I am sure a great many More too—what is whisky, and of what age should it he to bo drinkable? No doubt some of your various renders will kindly aivc us the information. Perhaps Air G. B. Nrcholls, who supplies us with lire monthly statistics of the deadly effects of liquor, or Air Wm. Thomson, who bo eloquently defended the licensed traders, will oblige.—l am, etc., Con tite .SriAuonEAtjN. Dceemhrr 7.