THE LAND COMMISSION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8177, 18 March 1905, Page 2

THE LAND COMMISSION.

A PATCH OF LEASEHOLD SUP-

PORTERS.

[PRSSS ASSOCIATION.]

DUNEDIN, March 17. The Land Commission visited Ranfurly to-day, ' and struck .a patch of supporters of leasehold and land nationalisation.

John Law, jun., said what was wated v was more land. He had always been . unsuccessful at the ballot. He favored , Stato ownership of soil. His freehold j had increased in value, apart from his own exertions, as the railway had come along. Mr Paul : Do you think the unearned increment should belong to the State? Witness : No ! Not mine. Continuing, he said he believed that on principle, however, the 999 years' lease- should be revalued when hard times come along and men wanted to lower the rent. He thought all freehold should be mortgageable only to the Crown, so that in the event of a man getting into difficulties the land would revert to the Crown.

Patrick iMcCuskey considered lease in perpetuity excelled all freeholds, and 'Was opposed to giving an option. If freehold was permitted there waa.no power that would prevent acrregation. William Dow] ing was satisfied with lease in perpetuity. • / All Witnesses thought large runs might be cut up into small grazing runs with advantage. The Commission, in the afternoon returned to Naseby, where evidence of a general nature was given. All complained that there was not enough land being opened up to meet the demand.