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Shannon News, 25 June 1929, Page 3

"The Government might take into consideration the question of exempting from taxatkn for a period of years certain second-class unimproved lands at present lying idle,'' said Sir George Elliott at the annual .meeting of tins Bank of New Zealand to-day. "The idea is no doubt open to criticism, hut it is an idea that might well be tried in certain areas for the encouragement , bf settlement, so vital a necessity to the well-being and advancement of the Dominion. Successful land setlement is the foundation, on which New Zealand rssts. Nothing should be left undone by the Government that may in any direction foster primary industry. The Minister of Lands has an enormous field for the exhibition of ability and energy. The thousands of acres of unoccupied lands, breeding spots for noxious weeds, call for attention—the question of herd testing—the quality ef the marketable products-r-the scientific treatment of soils—the financial assistance to struggling settlers of ■character who can offer only weak securities for advances —these area-few of the directions in which ability and energy may be brought to bear."