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Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1919, Page 2

The Government have to consider fur. tlier that land is required not alone for the soldier, but also for the land, less generally. We have no doubt that when a general election- come along in a few mouths, in the forefront of each politcal party’s platform, there will be a very forward land policy enunciated ; but we want the substance of that now, not a visionary shadow mouths ahead to tickle the imgination. This country requires to carry a much larger population than its present total, if it is going to attain the commercial and industrial success necessary to carry without overburden the heavy cost of the war. Other than discharged soldiers will require to be producers also, and so land for the .landless must be provided. The money for the vast expenditure on the war was found by New Zealand quite readily. It vanished quickly into thin air, and their is noth, ing of a reproductive nature left to show the value of that outlay. On the contrary, there is a vast annual charge for interest and commitments arising out of the war which must be met. To do this without undue taxation requires more homo production for export, so as to bring surplus money into the country. A few millions spent in pro. viding land for the landless will not be money lost or wasted. It will provide a national asset and give permanent employment to a national worker. The crass land policy of the past of giving away tho freehold for a song, comes homo to one when the country is face to face with the necessity of buying back that same land at greatly advanced prices. But it is no use bewailing the stupidity of the past; circumstances require attention to tho present and there is only one sure way to providing land for the landless—follow the great Liberal experiment do. monstrated years ago ait Cheviot.

The future prosperity of New Zealand depends very largely indeed on how its land policy is handled within tho next decade. ' There has to bo a radical change from the happy-go-lucky promptings of supply and demand. But,, the process of improved conditions under a land for settlement policy will not bo

readily marked. When the settler gets on the land, it is still going to take a period of time before the laud yields an adequate return. Cultivation requires the lapse of seasons, and returns will increase only as the cultivation grows more and more intensive. There are other adjuncts to prosperity, and in a country such as this, industrial expansion is highly necessary. Now Zealand is situated in a remove corner of the globe, and transit takes time and is costly. The more the Dominion can produce within its own confines, and the less it needs to import the bet. ter for its economic outlook. There is need then for industrial expansion so that the country can produce more than it requires and has a surplus for t xport Commodities of the right class should be produceablo by the development of cheap power in various parts of New Zealand, not only in much larger quantities but at a cheaper rate, and so find a ready sale in the world’s markets. A forward policy must be enunciated with the objective of achieving such a goal. At the moment, the industrial outlook in New’ Zealand is not too roseate. Just lately an Industries Committee has been abroad, and to save the situation its report cannot be placed before the Government too soon. No doubt remedial measures will be suggested, and the Government will be wise to devote a close study to the subject without any delay. This-is the time to be w’atching for the flood tide if the Dominion is to achieve its future good fortune quickly.