STIMULUS NEEDED.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 230, 28 September 1929, Page 12

STIMULUS NEEDED.

IDLE LANDS PROBLEM. YOUTH SHOTJI/D BE CONSIDERED. OBJECTS OF LEAGUE. "Whilst the Government has realised the necessity for considerable change, and has laid down a sound principle that the State should assist in establishing men upon the- land, it has strayed from the safe path in endeavouring to settle lands already productive, rather than obtaining something from those which are producing nothing," stated a report placed before the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League. Confusion seemed to exist in the mind of the public as to the objects of the league, the report continued. Some people were under the impression that a recommendation from the league would be of assistance in making applications to the Government; others thought the league did practically the work of a real estate institute, and could advise them of the land available for settlement and the conditions applying. Also there were cases where p'arents, with boys leaving school,, asked that the league advise them, as parents, what to do with their boys. Primarily, the report stated, the object of the league was to- secure progressive settlement of the land and increased production from the soil, arising from exploiting the natural resources. Every section of the community would benefit from a sound and healthy agriculture. The league came into being to attempt the solution of the land settlement problem. It was intended to give publicity by every means possible to the necessity of legislation which would coincide with the league's objects. It was considered advisable to make public the fact that the league had no politics, but it was feared that the possible value of the Government's proposals might be discounted by legislation which aimed at the settlement of lands which were already being developed. The league was aware of the large number of men who were eager to get on the land, but were lacking in experience. For boys who had received the necessary training, and desired the opportunity of having their own holdings, there seemed nothing in the present proposals. The report concludes:—"lf we can get the public to appreciate the vital necessity to this country of a sound policy we shall find that the necessary legislation will be provided, so that the proposals which we refer to as ' Camp' and 'Group settlement * will be given effect to and the necessary stimulus afforded, the aims and objects of the league."