THE FREEHOLDERS' MEETING AT CHEVIOT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 15184, 23 December 1909, Page 6

THE FREEHOLDERS' MEETING AT CHEVIOT.

Of course we accept Mr Gee's figures in regard to tho number of Crown tenants at Cheviot. Our own figures were taken from the statement of a reliable correspondent and wore confirmed by a referonco to tho Lands Office, which reported that there were 312 leaseholds on tho settlement. But whether tho number of leaseholders is 184 or 312 is not a matter of much consequence. As wo said when referring to the voting at the recent Cheviot meeting tho wonder is, not that thirty-two tenants should have been persuaded to support the demand for the freohold, but that nineteen should have remained loyal to tho leasehold. No one disputes that when the value of a leasehold has increased by $0 or 100 per cent it is to tho advantage of the tenant to secure the freehold. If the tenant happens to occupy a section on Cheviot tho advantage is all the greater. The Cheviot Estate was not acquired under the Land for Settlomonts Act, and the rentals were fixed at a higher rate'than the one stipulated by that measure. The tenants havo already paid off more than a third of tho capital cost of the property, and naturally they would like tho remainder of tho "profit," as well as -the unearned increment, to go into their own pockets. No ono can blamo them for recognising the value of the freehold in such circumstances. But even on Mr Gee's own admission there are thirty-five sturdy patriots on Cheviot who refuse to join in the freeholders' campaign to profit thomselvos at tho expense of tho rest of the community. If Lot could havo found half as many righteous men in the doomed cities of Palestine he might havo saved tho whole country from destruction. It is not, however, tho tenants alone that are to be consulted in this matter. They, indeed, a.ro tho last persons to be considered. It is the groat body of electors, tho State landlords, that have to be satisfied. If tho electors approve of the holders of leasos-in-perpetuity being given tJie option of acquiring tho freehold on equitable terms wo have no grc.it objection to urge against the proposal. We would sacrifice something in the way of sentiment to seo the "eternal lease" finally removed from the controversy over the tenure

question. But the freeholders need not keep on telling us that the average man would like to acquire a- thousand Pounds' worth of property for half that sum. We have a good deal of sympathy with the average man ourselves.