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Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1928, Page 2

Jx the thought for the times to-day, the Christchurch “Press” indicates what prosperity means and how it is to be attained In short, it means “more lambs and better cows.” or, in other words, more production. Tbe effect of more production is greater returns, and that moans more mono\ coming into Now Xonland, and the* extra wealth creates the prosperity bo desirable for the general well-being. Circumscribed as the issue is by fnis process of reasoning, we see at once the importance to the country of the man oil the land. Such being the case, one wonders why the Government of the ilav does not concentrate more upon a

genuine hind policy to bring about more -settlement. By that means greater production will be assured. Not since the days ol the Liberal Party in power lias there been a genuine attempt to settle successfully the people on tbe land. When the land for settlement policy was brought down and the cheap money schemes introduced by the Liberals, we knowhow the Opposition composed of the present party now ill political power opposed that policy. But the policy won through alld New Zealand reaped the great advantage of it, being lifted from the slough of depression and sot upon the high load to prosperity, When the turn of the Conservative Party canto to enter office, tinvigorous policy of the Liberals was dropped anil the great aid to national prosperity died down. At the present time the present Government is without any constructive land policy. Tbe Minister is content to deplore conditions as lie views them, but there is no effort to endeavour to retrieve the position. The land policy lias become one of drift, and in keeping with tbe general conditions of tbe Dominion, the country is drifting into shallow waters Now lias come the application of the spur from the Christchurch Conservative journal which says “the Government can render no service so important . , . , as helping 'to

bring about inure production 1 Loin Ihe "bind. It is realised that if there was a forward land policy this year would be a year of greater performance. and assist to place the country in a more Isati-sfaetory position—a permanent position of assured production. Much Avill be beard of polities this year, and there is no more important aspect of "the general question

and issue that the need to revive a progressive land policy which will arouse greater production and help New Zealand to meet its obligations without stress or strain, and with satisfaction t<l the people at large.