A FORWARD MOVE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1929, Page 2

A FORWARD MOVE

MINISTER. DESCRIBES LAND BILL. , FIVE MILLION FOR ' DEVELOPMENT.. COMPULSORY SETTLEMENT VIEWED. WELLINGTON, October 3. “First and foremost in connection with land settlement is finance,” stated the Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Lands in explaining the Land Bill to the House when moving the second reading to-night. The Minister said lie considered tint land settlement had become a burning question because attention had been turned fco it as a result; of unemployment during the last two years pointing' to a weakness in our economic conditions. It was recognised, lie said that New. Zealand depended on its primary industries, and if everything was not right jvitli them ,and they were not explaining in line with the population there would be difficulties While the secondary industries could absorb a fair number of workers rt was to the primary industries tint the Country must look for the great proportion of employment. NOT KEEPING PACE. '“The opinion which f think is shared by everyone who has given thought to the subject,” continued Mr Forbes “is that one of the root causes of our difficulties is that land settlement .ins not kept pace with, the increase of population. Production must be increased. The purpose of fchis Bill is to carry on land .settlement in various parts of New Zealand and it contains machinery for a forward policy.” The Minister explained that his Bill gave considerable. powers to the Minister of Lands in regard to the settlement of unoccupied lands. First and foremost [was the quesriop of finance Our existing legislation showed want '.lion'' lions- couM be* supplemented'; if. .the , House" voted i^urtp^^utfiqrity when needed.; V ' • 1 ■ :':;; ; ':b?4yA)xA^;;-: V »'/ .V; v *'" ; ' t : \ } 4 J r Mr'ForcesarintedV,thijt;as a result? "of inspection; of- lands in’, ?inany : parts; of New. Zealand he ; ; had'come to the'-' coiiclusiori/. that there - were -, considerable areas - of'" undeveloped , Crown lands which ht»4 nreached the position 'off giving a reasonable prospect of being profitably settled. He. did not think they had in any way reached the end of their resources in land settlement and he was sure members from many .districts would support him in saying that there were large areas which, under proper direction, could be .successfully settled. There was, therefore," fair scope for applying the Bill. Mr Parry: In what districts ? * . The Minister: I will not specify districts, but those which I visited showed good prospects. At the same time I would not like to give the impression that-this is a matter which can be rushed, or’that anyone can go on this land' ; qnd have any easy time. It will not be profitable without putting in • a fair' ahiount of very . hard- work and' self-denial in the initial stages on this undeveloped ; Ciown land. ' . Mi* Coates, Leader of the Opposition." Where-'-is''it‘?^,‘.:. -The 'Minister:/'‘Right 1 ? throughout Auckland, Wellington and Taranaki provinces, and the same in the South Island down the West Coast and in Southland, there are lands which are capable of development and settlement.. COMPULSION TO BE USED • ; SPARINGLY. Elaborating, the subject of compulsory land purchase, Mr Forbes said he felt this power should he used very sparingly. Closer settlement of' already occupied areas had been carried on for . some time, and the Government had been doing its best to make pro-' vision for it to be done drill further. There , had been an alteration, in the compulsory acquisition of lands ; -as the system which operated in the past had not been altogether satisfactory.’ Personally, the Minister hoped that it would not be. necessary , to acquire by compulsion because lie trusted it would he possible to deal amicably with owners. However if it became necessary the Government would have to put the compulsory clauses into operation. He was of opinion, however that a. successful -settlement policy could not be carried out on the foundation of compulsory acquisition. The power would have to'be used sparingly when the circumstances arose which warranted this course being taken. Mr Nash (Palmerston): There will' he very few cases. The taxation will fix that. Mr Forbes said there had been an improvement in the method of compulsory purchase. The old system of having ' the right to take the land at 10 per cent above the valuation placed on the subsidiary roll by the owner would be abandoned, and the terms fixed by a Compensation Court under 'the Public Works Act; Thus instead of going to the hack door the Government could frankly approach owners by the front door and tell them compensation would be fixed,by the Court. The Bill was an honest, genuine attempt to carry orit land settlement and provide adequate finance for the purpose..