Delays in Settling Men on Land Alleged

Grey River Argus, 13 April 1948, Page 3

Delays in Settling Men on Land Alleged

DARGAVILLE, April 12. Land settlement for former servicemen is a burning subject in Dargaville. A meeting of members of the Northern Wairoa Returned Services’ Association and the sub-pro-vincial executive of Federated Farmers had asked the Mayor of Dargaville to call a public meeting to discuss land settlement for former servicemen. The reasons for calling the meetine and details of other action are embodied in a. statement issued by a joint committee representing both bodies. “Since servicemen first commenced to return in 1944 they have been anxiouslv waiting for reasonable progress to be made in Ihe development of farm lands upon which to settle,” states the report of the committee. "Lt is obvious that little progress in Northern Wairoa has been made, although a survey of blocks acquired bv the Crown for soldier settlement has been discussed with the departments concerned on numerous occasions. The official reply to representations made in 1945 disclaimed any necessity for local assistance, and laid the blame for tardy progress on the shortage of materials. . chiefly fertilisers.” Tljp committee states that the acreage of land now being acquired, or already acquired by the Crown in the district was hopelessly inadequatej, and it disclaims there is any partment used drive and initiative, shortage of materials. Had the deand assistance from local men,- the work would have made proper progress, and the farming community would then have more confidence in the scheme, and, probably, suitable land would be offered more freely. The committee concluded by inviting representatives of other centres to attend the proposed meeting, as the question was vital to the whole of North Auckland.