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Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1930, Page 4

The Hon E. A. Ransom did not exag gerate when he told la's audience at jJannevirke last week, that he now alls, as Minister of Lands, “a position o, the greatest importance to tne progress of the Dominion.” 'J he development of a comparatively young country, points out tiie Auckland Star, must depend in any case chiefly on the promotion of settlement and the exploitat.on of natural resources. But New Zealand has to consider at the present time not only the potentialities lying dormant in its unused and unoccupied land, but the urgent need for grappling with the unemployment problem; and Mr Ransom is undoubtedly right in his conviction that only through the settlement and utilisation of our land will the majority of our people succeed in finding permanent employment on productive work. Following the lines that the Prime Minister has already taken, Mr Ransom nas expounded again tne recent legislation for the promotion of land settlement; and in the general opinion the Minister is fully justified in his contention that last year’s Act is “the finest Land Act so far enacted” for the development of our unsettled rural areas. The lack of financial assistance lias crippled hundreds of would-be settlers in the past. Rut the generous aid now available, coupled with the preparatory work undertaken by the Scute on waste lands before the settler begins to work it, w.ll reduce the difficulties of the pioneer cultivator to a minimum, and must go far towards ensuring his ultimate success. The pwlicv of purchasing improved land $ " . for' settlement will still be carried on/ where occasion justifies, but Mr Ran- | som is clearly of me opinion that our 1 chief hone lies in “a vigorous policy of developing idle lands.” An interesting variation in the land policy was indicated by the Minister in his reference in group settlement. Fore, again n...'v)ni , "iorv ole-’v'iig and in” will be carried out by the State, and Mr Ransom seized the opportunity to commend the valuable and successful experiments conducted on these lines among Fast Coast Maoris by Sir 1 Anirnna. Ngala. These proposals suggest great possibilities lor the 1 uture, | r> tr> l

anc! the figures quoted Tiy the Minister 111 regard to the productive capacity of Denmark certainly seem to justify optimism about the prospects of our ownprimary products. A country only the size of Southland, which can export in one year primary products valued at £25£09,069, and polk and bacon worth £2-1,-C00,090 i.s a most valuable .objectin'son to New Zealand, and Mr Ransom will deserve well of the Dominion, if, under his guidance; the settlement and development of our lands enables us to follow Denmark’s example and to emulate her success.