"NOT PROPER”

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12614, 26 November 1926, Page 11

"NOT PROPER”

INVITING BRITISH CAPITAL FOR DEVELOPING SECOND-CLASS LAND A REMIT REJECTED The efficacious development and settlement of second-class lands was described by delegates to the Chambers of Commerce Conference yesterday as the greatest problem with which the Dominion was faced at the present time. While recognising the seriousness of the situation, however, they declined to pass a remit urging the investment of British capital on these lands, considering that what the New Zealander was not prepared to do should not be placed on the shoulders of migrants from Home. The remit expressed the opinion, ‘‘that private British capital applied to ‘breaking in’ the second-class lands of the Dominion affords a thoroughly efficient solution of the question of the ability of the Dominions to satisfactorily absorb a largely increased number of British migrants, and at the samo time—(i.) provide sound and remunerative investments for private investors, (ii.) ensure the best system of selection of migrants, (iii.) offer guarantee of work and housing and the necessary training for them to become New Zealand producers.” Mr A. L. Hunt (Wellington) said the conference was merely asked to affirm the principle of the scheme as outlined. If capital could be applied to all waste lands, and if those at Home coiuld be convinced that there was a profitable investment awaiting them here, something could bo done for the farmers. It was useless to bring out migrants unless the scheme was properlv organised. “We are trying to develop new country with our own capital,” he said, “and it cannot be done.” Mr J. D. Richards (Stratford) did not agree with the remit, and said that much of this class of land was being abandoned at the present time. Yet they had to say to the outsider: “Go ahead and put your money into it.” Mr F. A. Hellaby (Auckland) said that while people here hesitated to put their own money into second-class lands, they invited others to do so. This he considered improper. The president (Mr A. H. Mackrell) said it seemed illogical to invite outsiders to invest in these lands when some of the improved farms in New Zealand were not paying at present. The policy should be to improve these and place them upon a better productive basis before going outside.

Mr Hunt, said the conference would have to take a long view of the subject, and a scheme would probably take five years to formulate and put into operation. The remit' was rejected by 17 votes to 12,