THE LAND POLICY OF THE FUTURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13048, 13 December 1905, Page 5

THE LAND POLICY OF THE FUTURE.

It is worthy of note, says the New Zealand Times, that nearly all the leaseholders represent town constituencies, oi} electorates comprising a majority, of town workers: The country districts, where tho people are settlers or hope to become so,-and who know tho conditions most desirable, have voted solid for the freehold option. There are very few "single taxers" in the new Parliament; and-so far as we know every candidate who advocated a complete cessation of the sale of Crown lands has been rejected by the people. There can, in all the circumstances, be no doubt as to what the land policy of the future will be. It will, be a sano and moderate policy, the leading feature of which will be the continuance of the forms of optional tenure introduced by Sir John McKcnzie, with the modification that present and future settlers under the lease in perpetuity will be given the option of converting into freehold. This will be a satisfactory solution of the question. The fear of settlers falling into the hands of usurious moneylenders may be dismissed i.s groundless, as the Government's cheap money 'scheme will keen down the rate of interest on freehold., securities while the limitation to 'be imposed on the area of land that may bo held by -one person or company will diopeso of the dread of res' rogation of large estates that has been expressed by some pessimists.