LAND SETTLEMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1924, Page 2

LAND SETTLEMENT.

NEW MIX IST EH CAUTIOUS. WELLINGTON. July 15

A cautions tone was adopted by the new Minister of Lands in referring in the House to-day to future land settlement. As a reply to Opposition critics lie said that since IHIH 10.020 selections of land had been made, involving 3.u7H.(4'0 acres though he would not. he added, declare that all this land was occupied at present, though it showed that settlement had taken place. Until some deflation occurred in extreme high land cables for areas suitable tor small settlement it would l,e courting disaster to proceed actively. He intended to watch this aspect closely. Lew people realised that there were over titty millions of money involved in land settlement ill New Zealand. This required a big machine to handle thoroughly, and lie would not say there was no room for improvement in handling such an onornioiis 11 at i - 1 ; ia I estate. He was sure the best inelligence would have to he brought I- hear in clearing up many dilhciiltios. including chattel securities, stock mortgages and proper handling of flooded lands In-tore it canid he said that land settlement in Xow Zealand Was completely successful.

SOLD ILLS’ 1. AXILS. Tiie Hon-A. 1). McLeod predicted that tin- inns serious 10-ses in regard to soldier settlement would he in counectiun with part two of the Act. under which soldiers made their own selection. The revaluation system was going on .successfully and he was quite sure that Parliament, did not desire the Government in interfere with the operations of this hoard. He was getting its reports audit would lx- found, as the work proceeded, that although one might just well ask for the moon as to expect everyone to he -ati-fied. yet there would he. generally speaking. satisfactory results to the hulk of soldier settlers. Mo-t complaint would arise under ."section two of the Act. li tiler* l were a second mortgage amounting to as much or more than tin- first mortgage stood firm, making no reduction, lie did not see how they could meet the position, and hardship would undoubtedly occur in such cases, it was not alone with soldier settlers that these difficulties were being encountered.