A CRITIC OF THE LAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 257, 30 October 1928, Page 6

A CRITIC OF THE LAND

Sir.—Having read your editorial of the 25th. inst., may 1 be allowed to reply thereto You state that the Reform Government has borrowed £37,00<i, which has bcOn used for necessary reproductive public, works, including railways. How many of these railways are nearing completion or returning interest! A lot of money has been spent upon highways running alongside the railways; but the road from Taihape to Napier, which acts as n. feeder to the railways, is neglected The Minister of Public Works recently entered into correspondence with the Taihape Chamber of Commerce re this road, and his views, to say the least, were ridiculous. You say that the £200,000 remitted to the large landholders is a mere fleabite. It is to them, no doubt. Re land aggregation, you state that from 1921-22 to 1926-27 there was an increase of 4.61 wen and women farming the land. A big percentage of these people are certainly holding the land in their names, but are “dummies” for the large land holders. The Reform cry is that this land cannot be made a payable proposition unless held in large areas. Some of the large lan'lholders in this district alone have country that without top-dressing will carry two ewes to the acre. About 406 acres of this country will keep a man and his family in comfortable circumstances, yet it must be farmed by the big men. in large areas, to get an adequate return for the working. A correspondent, Mr G. J. Fama, challenges you re several estates, named. One shining example is the Honourable Air McLeod’s “To Wera”-estate purchase.

Unemployment has never been worse in the history of this country. Hundreds of men have been employed during the last three months on relief works, but this is to be expected before an election. However, you paid the electors a compliment in saying they were not unintelligent and such methods will not delude them.

In your issue of the 23rd. instant, “Satis Verborum” made some remarks upon another correspondent’s, name, but seems to be ashamed of his own. if he is sincere in his views, let him come out into the open and not hide under a nom-de-plume. J. L. MOORE. Pukeokahu, Oct. 26.