“Go-Slow” on Lund.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1921, Page 4

“Go-Slow” on Lund.

A clause in the half-yearly report of flic Land Committee of the N.Z.B.S.A. reads thus: —(1) Owing to the fall in the juice of primary produce; (2) Owing to the jmisjicct of a further drop in the same; ami (3) Owing to the consequent drop in land values, the N.Z.B.S.A. should adopt a “go-slow” jxdicy in soldier settlement. Although soldier settlement has never been carried out at an express speed, the eomittee’s resolution must lie regarded as a sane policy at the present juncture, as many soldier farmers are beginning to feel the pinch of falling prices of produce. Naturally the big rental on highly-priced jiropertips, is a cause of worry to-day. 'Pile Government itself is chiefly to blame for creating tho boom in land values, as it forced soldiers to compete with one another for the limited amount of imjmivoil land on the market. It has been stated by the Minister of Lands that the; Government lias bad to spend £14,000,000 in the purchase of private properties because the soldier;, would not take up tho undeveloped Crown land reserved for soldier settlement. Vet, notwithstanding, the oxjienditiire of that amount, the productivity of the country remains about the same. “Quick March,” March.