PASTORAL LEASES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3304, 11 July 1917, Page 8

PASTORAL LEASES.

One is glad to join forces in the campaign to obtain for tenants of the pastoral lands of the Crown an improved tenure of their holdings. Mr W. D. Hunt deserves thanks for presenting to those interested- - and they should include all engaged, in making a living—some of the disabilities under which occupiers of the bulk of the Crown pastoral lands labour. It has always been recognised by holders of the lands in question that they were not encouraged to improve their areas to _ their full carrying capacity; but all their representations to tho authorities have been made in vain, and there seems nothing for it but a concerted movement to obtain fanproved conditions. Tho cry at this time of day that the State-ownership of lands would' result in an all-round advantage to town communities is all "moonshine"; but it will be none the less difficult to dissipate that belief. A lot of strenuous work will have to be undertaken to convert, and, indeed, practically in many cases, educate, the great bulk of artisans and townspeople to the fact that their interests lie in aiding production by securing to the occupier of lands a secure and satisfactory tenure. It is surely a recognised fact that stability is given to a family by the possession of land ; that such a position is politically educational, and that there is no better citizen than the man who has a holding of his ownj and also that the colonisation of the Dominion of New Zealand became possible because of the inherent desire which exists in out race to possess as well as to cultivate land. _ In all countries and in all ages lie has striven to obtain sufficient land for his own occupation, and to supply himself with food. Mr Hunt's contentions in regard to the deterioration of lands held under certain leases are correct. One has but to see the far-sighted man with money in his pocket on the lookout for pastoral land j he wants countiy held with an option to purchaseno run-out pastoral areas for him; and although, of course, we do see all kinds of pastoral holdings taken up to-day at relativelv high in-goings, this is due to the war-enhanced prices ruling for all primary products. These nave soared in value under stress of the Empire's demand for foodstuffs, and values to-day are probably no critorion of prices obtainable, say, 10* years hence. Be that as it may, however, the fact is incontrovertible that unless the town communities with their representatives in the House realise that the welfare and progress of the Otago province in particular, are chiefly associated with the secure tenure of the pastoral lands by the occupiers generally, we will, as a province, never forge ahead. It is but a reasonable proposition after all, as any business man will surely perceive that if ' his business location could be determined by another man, he would suffer serious loss. So it is with the settler on many of our pastoral lands. He has no inducement to make the best of his holdin", no encouragement to surface sow with grasses ; spell blocks of country and generally increase the carrying capacity and output of those lands held under an unsatisfactory tenure, and it is time these crippling leases to a man's energies were overhauled.