SETTLING OUR LANDS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1928, Page 5

SETTLING OUR LANDS

PROPOSAL TO GOVERNMENT,

AUCKLAND, Nov. 24,

At a meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League, Mr A. A. Ross in the chair, it was decided that the necessity for the setting up of a competent board of inquiry was more pressing than ever, and that opportunity should be taken to urge this on the Government as soon as the present political situation iwas cleared. The chairman stated that after two years of investigation he was convinced that this was the first essential to a return of prosperity. Mr M. G. McArthur stated that the committee set up had considered the information recently received from men actually engaged in farming and had brought down certain recommendations, and he thought they would he generally approved. The conclusions of the committee wore that there were possibilities for men on light lands provided they had sufficient capital and were prepared to work, that it was possible for a man to establish himself on 100 acres for £IOOO, that a dwelling suitable for a new settler could he erected for £3OO, that some sort of group settlement was essential if the scheme was to assume a national character, that a sound settlement policy should be adopted under the Empire Settlement Act and' that the league should receive recognition from the Dominion and British Government in the carrying out of such a policy. Mr N. G. Gribble pointed out that immigration was closely associated with land settlement. The necessity for increasing the rural population could not Ik> over-emphasised. It was the soundest means of reducing unemployment and of affording relief from heavy taxation.

It was decided to inform the Chamber of Commerce of the league’s intentions and to have everything in readiness to impress upon the Government the urgency of the position.