THE LEASING OF CROWN LANDS. TO TUB EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1598, 8 July 1882, Page 19

THE LEASING OF CROWN LANDS. TO TUB EDITOR.

Sir, — When anyone undertakes to examine and expose a 'question of vital importance to the liberty, procross, and prosperity of a_ State, he should divest himself of all irregular influences, and not be swayed by any sentiments, prejudices, customs^ or otherwise that are^not based upon principles of tmth and justice. The letter in ypur last, issue relating to tho leasing of agricultural lands by the Crown is most certainly narrow in its conception and wrong in its inferences, betraying 'an evident want of acquaintance with the subject it professes to deal with. The writer of that letter cannot possibly have any knowledge of the tendency of this desire to possess land, nor of the bad repults in 19 cases out of 20 it produces. This may be a bold assertion, yet is a startling f ict, amply verified by observation and experience. No better remedy could be applied to thi3 and many other existing evils in connection with our land administration than the leasing of agricultural Crown lands, as well as pastoral Crown lands, which has the merit of being an honest way of disposal. I need not point out in what way, since all thinkers are aware of these facts and their surroundings. v Any person who has a correct sense of right and wrong will not admit that any Government have a mural right to sell the land. They may have what is termed a legal right, Which is a refined expression for lawful plunder. That the people have loat and are still losing the land (which 1 maintain is the inheritance of us all) is a fact patent to all, by whose instrumentality I shudder to think, since they pass for men of ability and capacity. Sir, [ ask, capacity for what 1 It was further observed that the futility of trying to lease land has been proved by the School Commissioners. The reason of failure is not far to seek or hard to be known. Ooly let the leasing of agricultural Crown lands with fixity of tenure under fair conditions become a fact, and 1 am persuaded that many of very comprehensive faculty will be astonished at the results.

To affirm that farmers will not expend th*ir money and skill on leasehold land under tho foregoing.conditions, is a wild imagination of Mr Conr.eU's, j-ir.ce there are some I know who are now following tho vocation of farming, who have long waited; and are very willing to come under these conditions, past oxpoiience confirming their hopes of complete success ; and since they cannot conscientiously buy land, they have used every endeavour which the prompting of honest convict'on suggested to bring about this desirable result, knowing that as long as thd world is afflicted with sliallow-biained peoplu who are afraid to own aud support an honest purpose, so long will mi-cry and crime— c <rresponding results prevail.

In conclusion, 1 a«k to "hat object does the system which Mr Connell support!- lead, but to a continuance (if those debilitating influence 8 which arc a marked characteristic (f; our pro .nt iand administration? The nationalisation of the land would secure and encourage the growth of self-reapact, more or less inherent in, all men— alas! too often crushed out by these very evils. How many fatten upon the inheritance of the people, whilst the strongest efforts of many a'poor drift-driven soul are crushed by their alldevouring greed ! Let our Legi&lature take warning by the foreshadowings which mark the horizon of liberty and numan riphts. Let them foster that feeling of inde•cn lencobovu of honest conviction that the land is m-.vit for us all. Let them no longer ignore the u^hfcs of the people by supporting the crushing tyranny of bygone times, lest exigencies arise that will most assuredly compel them. By so doing they will engage and deserve the respect of all good men, and secure the blesßing of a good conscience.— l am, &c, J. SEFH S. SANDLANSS. Catlins, July 4th.