THE LAND QUESTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1420, 9 August 1881, Page 3

THE L AND QUESTION.

, , ,TOTHB EDITOR. Sib, — I have just read with great ipteresfct a pamphlet entitled "Are we to stop here," by H. J. Sealy, a surveyor and farmer of twenty-two years standing in Canterbury. I was astonished when I read it, and it ought to be read by every- 1 « one who lias the welfare of N,evf -Zealand^ at heart. It treats of the monopoly ,o,f the lands of the colony by\j£rge 'rUtt^ holders and companies, which ,1s 1 'detri-' mental to the progress of fche country,*? The manner in which the fiddle,' Islands runholders secured the besi^.df Ijho land is little short of robbery. AS an;in^nco, • ' the writer aays, "oue'runhoMer' after securing the amount ,of ; v laucU.,b,e.was entitled to by means of p^ftjgaptiyp rigfit, viz., 250 acres attachedfrtQjrß.'bihestead, 50 acres for each shepherds 50 acres for every 38f chains pf^Jrfe' fencing)' actually removed the hut^and fencing to another portion of the run and S&cured that also." Now sir, all that is done and cannot be undone, but my object meriting to you is to warn the public that such transactions are^taking plane >in the North Island, but in a different manner I fully agree with the; writer when he says ' ' men of large estates are driving capital out of the country instead of bringing it into it, one man holding more land blocked up, in a sheep run thau would support; some hundreds of f aimers and tradesmen." Now, Sir, may I ask who are the 1 taxpayers ? who aie the 'consumers? and who are the men who lead your paper ? Are they not the small farmers, tradesmen, and labouring classes ? Then why not do all we can to encourage the settlement of the land by selling it in small blocks to suit the wants and lequirements of men of limited means ? But instead of that, companies have been formed by the connivance of the Legislature, and who by subtilty go befoie us into the heart of the countiy and select the.best l.md before we can set our eyes on it, and' t!o whom our children will have to become tenant farmers. It is no wonder men leave this Country m disgust. Is not farming the basis of all our operations ? for is it not from the coil we get our sustenance ? Therefore the piospenty of a couutry depends on the amount of population it supports from that source. Then look at our soil, and our climate and natural resources, and ask, why are we so depressed ? The cause is not far to seek ; we are badly governed. The rich man owns the land, and the poor man pays the taxes. I say the Property Tax is a most iniqxiitous one, as it jn-esses hea\ lly on the small farmer who has to pay for his improvements, whereas the large runholdei spends very little on his land, but takes all he can out of it in the shape of wool, and so. comparatively speaking, get off " scot" free. It is time the land laws of New Zealand were so altered as to prevent men buying the land up in large blocks for speculative purposes, and keeping it locked up until its value is enhanced by the prosecution of public works at the public e\pen«o, and then selling it at an enormous piofit, which profit ought to go into the public chest. Let me tell the people of Auckland that thoso men are robbing them of the birthnght and inheritance which should belong to their children. Do we want to have the same scenes enacted here which are taking place in Ireland, and will also in England and Scotland 1 I say no. Then the be^t thing we can do to prevent it is by sending liberal men to the House who will legislate for the benefit of the mass, not for the few. Do not think, sir, lam touting for Parliamentary honours. lam not, for the very best of reasons. I cannot affoul it. If I could I would stand tor the House, although I might be beaten again and again, I thould do my best to expose the evil doings of men who want to set up a spurious landed aristocracy (which the best education will never polish or lefine) for the majoiity to bow clown to. With reference to the coming elections, I should like to point out to the electors that all that splendid land over the Puniu — about 150,000 acics —is already spotted, and from infoimation I have received (if correct) sixtoon natives have signed their names to a doed of transfer, and have received money on it fiom pnvate paities. All honour to Sir George Grey, who, almost single-handed is fighting our battles to prevent such v hole s ale monopoly of our public lands. This is a matter of vital importance to the colony as a whole, and this district m particular. Mr Sealy's book is published at the office of the Canto bin y 2'imci ; the price is, I believe, a shilling. Apologising for trespassing on so much of you) 1 valuable space, — I am, &0,, H. Rooms, Te A.wamutu, August 3rd.