LAND SETTLEMENT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 245, 20 May 1876, Page 19

LAND SETTLEMENT.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND MATL. Sir, —The settlement of the waste lands is a question which cannot be sxxfficiently ventilated at the present time. That there must be some legislation duriixg the ensuing session with regard to the same is a necessity which ax*ises out of the vai’ious land laws in foi*ce throughout the colony. The altei-ation and consolidation of these laws has latterly become more apparent. The wholesale alienation of the lands as cari'ied out axxd lately attempted in Otago requires the most ui'gent and careful consideration by the Govei-nment. Tlie question then ai’ises, what system of land laws is to supplant the present laws, which in most parts of the colony have already effected *he alienation of the best lands in large blocks. Such being the case, our future land laws should be entirely based on the deferred payment pi-inciple, as contained in the Westland Waste Lands Act, 1870. This system is partially under trial ; it however suffei-s .from two causes as to its entire success : 1. The town lands were not included in the settlement as provided ; and (2) the settlement was entirely made a settlement for immigrants. These are departures fi-om the Act, instead of a general settlement, which would have induced enterprising individuals of colonial experience to avail themselves of the favorable terms to become permanent settlei's, and relieve the Government to a large extent of that fostering care and lavish expenditure which has been incui’red. The aim of the Govei-nment and every colonist ought to be to settle the people on the easiest terms on the land; the more this is effected the more beneficial it will be to all concerned, inasmuch as lands can only become productive and enhanced in value by being populated, and as capital is only an auxiliary commodity to expedite men’s labor and the creation of comforts.

Having said this much with regard to the unalienated lands, I do not hesitate to suggest a remedy with regard to the alienated lands. I am induced to do so, being aware that very large tracts of lands are constantly acquix*ed by individuals who have already laid the nucleus of a feudal estate in this colony. These large landed proprietors, in my mind, will in no wise become imitators of the Hon. W. Fox, who on my making him acquainted with the deferred payment system when Premier, expressed his determination of passing a large portion of his estate in the Rangitikei, under that system, into the hands of the people, which i*esolve, I believe, has been carried oxxt. With regard to the holders of lai’ge areas of freehold land, I think it the duty of the Government to resort to means to obviate what must in a short time convert the people in New Zealand into a tenant nation similar to Great Britain. It appears, therefore, to me that a land tax should be imposed on all freeholders whose holdings exceeds 1000 acres (say at one shilling per acre). This suggestion will to a large extent set aside all land speculations, and will compel large holders to reasonably dispose of their lands to settlei's. It further will have the effect of fostering unaided immigration, inasmuch as it gives assurance to immigrants that they come to a country where they can acquii'e a homestead of their own. Besides, the squatters and other monied men, not being able to invest every shilling in land, will have to invest their money otherwise ; and I can see no better investment than to lend the money to the Government for the improvement of the whole colony, and to aid such ventures and enterprises as will make this colony one of the most populated and prosperous. In conclusion, I cannot avoid making another suggestion, which has also a bearing on the waste lands, or on the common property of the people. I allude to the runs which are held by squatters and flockholdei’s -at very moderate rents. These runholdei's do not contribute their adequate shai'e either in the employment of labor or to the revenue in proportion to their gain. The hands employed on a station are but very few except during a short period during each year, and the consumption of dutiable goods is therefore very small. The enormous retui’ns which accrue to the squatters and runholders through the sale of stock for consumption and the export of wool are no less than £3,500,000 per annum, whereas the mineral and agricultural produce, upon which the largest proportion of the people is employed, is much less than one-lialf the above amount. It therefore appeal’s to me that the runholders should pay a tax on stock, and an export duty on wool (cattle. Is. 6d. ; sheep, 3d. ; and wool, 4d. per lb.), to be de voted to collection, inspection, and the surplus to educational purposes. This would realise the handsome sum of about £IOO,OOO per annum, a sum adequate to defray education in the colony, and to do away with the direct objectionable educational taxation. —I X.Y.Z.