DETERIORATED LANDS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1928, Page 3

DETERIORATED LANDS

A SUGGESTED REMEDY

WELLINGTON, Oct. 16

“That the Minister of Lands be asked that deteriorated lands and lands given to second growth, at present unoccupied, be given to settlers free of rent for five years,” was a remit at a meeting of the Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union to-day.

Mr J. Livingston (Hawke’s Bay), a member of the Hawke’s Bay Land Board, said what was w r anted by settlers on such lands was more finance in order to improve their lands. He considered the system of revaluation i*o+to’i the core. The Government reduced the value and reduced rents, but this was of no earthly assistance to the unfortunate man on the land. What he wanted was finance to improve his capacity. Hie trouble was that unpractical men had the say as to how much should be advanced on these lands. It was of no use redactor values or rents if the man on the land bed no capital with which to improve his property. Land boards were humbugged all the time by political interference. What was wanted was business men who knew the value of land.

The president (Mr W. J* Poison) said he was pleased to hear the remarks which had fallen from Mr Lningstou, who was a practical man. He (Mr Poison) had long held identical views to those which Mr Livingston had just expressed.

It was decided that the president and Mr Livingston should draft a remit for submission to the next meet ing of the executive.