CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 12 June 1919, Page 3

CLOSER SETTLEMENT.

PROGRESSIVE POLICY

URGED

BOOM FOR TEN MILLION

PEOPLE

In>tiis^k>ening address at the Farmers' Conference the President outlined a policy which, he considered, was worthy of the support of the farming com-

munity, in view of the situation

caused by the war. ->• Dealing with the effects of the wa-r on the primary products of the country, he said !these were considerably enhanced in value in. the world's markets, but the New "Zealand farmer had bene-

fitted but little from such en-

hancement, as he had to accept .^©gulated prices for his products, • which, after meeting increased wages, taxation, and the higher cost of all commodities required for the farm, left him, in many instances, with less net returns than he had obtained prior to the war.

Another result of the war that required the careful attention of the farmer was the serious increase in the public debt. This would amount to approximately £80,000,000, and with the addition of the pre-war debt, would load the country with a total debt of nearly £180,000,000. This presented a serious problem for the farmers, as the greatest portion of the increased taxation necessary to meet the interest and repayment of the huge amount must come from the land.

The only practical solution of the problem was to be found in the increased production, and it was the fa£tner's duty to profoundly study measures and methods conducive to increased production. He was afraid the conditions governing the farmers' businesses in the Do vminion were not conducive to the desired end.

' They were.face to face with a startling array of great unsolved public questions, and the measures for the solution of these in order of importance as they appeared to him he enumerated as follows : —

1. The immediate introduction of a drastic and progressive land ■ettlement scheme to embrace th« principle, so far at least as rural lands are concerned, of occupation of land for production only, and the opening up and placing at the disposal of anyone willing to occupy and produce, all unoccupied Crown, private, and native lands ; the subdivision of large holdings so as to encourage closer settlement ; the rigid prevention of the aggregation of land already under cultivation.

2. The providing of proper means of access by roads and

railways

3. The extension of suburban services for the purpose of encouraging city dwellers to go into the country.

4. The development of our natural resources in water, etc., for the production of cheap power.

5. J?he introduction of a liberal and energetic immigration policy ■whereby we-shall attract our kinsmen from other parts of the Empire to come and occupy the waste lands of the Dominion.

6. The encouragement to become producers to city workers, many of whom* would gladly leave their present occupation for the freer lite o.f rural settlement were the way made possible and rural settlement made more attractive.

Referring more particularly to the question of immigration, Mr Boddie said.: "It is surely a sad commentary on our present land policy when we find that with many millions of acres of undeveloped and unused lands, with fertility of soil and climatic conditions perhaps second to none in the world, that a prominent Minister of th© Crown should be

found deliberately discouraging

people coming to the Dominion to settle on the land, especially when it is remembered that New j Zealand is only carrying 10 persons to the square mile, as compared with England.with 660 persons.^the square mile. ■: ITnfSJljlate °^ things must not be to continue. N»w '^i^ethods must be adopted. We have roorp in this country for at least 10,000,000 people who could live in comfort. arid contentment tp the great benefit pf themselves and the Empire at large, and unless we do something to make it for these lands to be profitably employed, firstly by our own pepole, be they returned men or town dwellers, and .secondly by encouraging immigration from the Homeland, we shall. assuredly fail in what is our clear duty to ourselves and to posterity."