LAND SETTLEMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 89, 12 October 1934, Page 11

LAND SETTLEMENT

WHAT OF THE FUTURE %

GOVERNMENT'S POLICY

Aspects of land settlement in the Dominion were discussed in the House of Representatives today when the Land for Settlement Estimates were under consideration. "The Minister of Lands is something more than the manager of the Galatea Estate," said Mr. W. A. Veitch (Independent, Wanganui). "I would like to get some idea of the Government's outlook so far as land settlement is concerned. I have an idea in my mind that tho Minister has more or loss an outlook of despair, so far as land settlement is concerned. The Minister has apparently made up his mind -that until there is an improvement in 'prices it would not be wise to put more settlers on the land." Mr. F. Langstono (Labour, Waiinarino) said the Ideal was to keep the people already on the land where they were, and try to balance the rest of the population in other industries. Mr.' W. J. Broadfoot (Government, Waitomo) said. that Galatea could be made into a wonderful settlement. He did not"think sufficient credit had been extended to the officers of the Department who were doing the development work in connection with the small-farm scheme. The accommodation which had been provided on the small farms was excellent. The problem of disposing of the produce was a. passing phase. Mr. W. J. Poison (Government, Stratford) congratulated the. Minister of Lands on his purchase of Galatea. The success of the settlement was absolutely assured. The Minister had obtained a largo area of splendid land at £4 per acre. The future of the country was in land development. The Rev. C. Carr (Labour, Timaru): Rubbish. Mr. Poison: I know the honourable gentleman is an authority on farming. Mr. Poison said that things we-re bound to improve, and tho development of tho land should be proceeded with steadily. Mr. Carr said that he had been informed- that 50 per cent, of Galatea was volcanic ash. ' ' . Mr. Ransom: It is all the better for that. Mr. Broadfoot: There are millions of acres of volcanic ash being farmed. Mr. Carr: There is no danger from cattle sickness? Mr. Broadfoot: In some parts. Mr. Carr: Is there a good permanent pasture? Mr. Broadfoot: Yes. Mr. Carr: How much super is used? Mr. Broadfoot:. The Waikato is full of volcanic ash. Mr. A. M. Samuel (Independent, Thames): Can't you both get up and talk at once? (Laughter.) Mr. A. E. Ansell (Government, Chalmers) said that despite what_ had been said to the contrary the national welfare was based on the development of the land. There was no doubt that a success could be made of the settlement of small holdings. Mr. C. H. Clinkard (Government, Roforua) denied that there was cattlesickness in the Galatea Estate. . The Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) said that unfortunately it was not always possible to purchase land at a price that would make it suitable for settlement. Mr. R. Semple (Labour, Wellington East): Isn't the problem to get rid of the product when you have created it? The Minister: Yes, that is so. Mr. Ransom said he still thought that it would be possible to go a long way towards overcoming the unemployment problem by placing men, on the land.