LAND SETTLEMENT.

Shannon News, 8 October 1929, Page 3

LAND SETTLEMENT.

MR LINKLATER'S VIEWS,

Speaking on the Land Amendment Bill in the House last-week, Mr Linklater (Manawatu) said: It is not my intention to make a long speech tonight, because most of the provisions of the Bill have been ably dealt with by all sides of the House, and the Bill is in my opinion a move in the right direction. When we consider that it has come through the Lands Committee without amendment, we must realise that it was avcll received by the members of that Committee, who, generally speaking, are men with special knowledge of -matters pertaining ,/to the land. Previous speakers have pointed out that many of the provisions in the Bill are contained in existing legislation, and, as that legislation was introduced by the Reform Government, we can on this side of the House claim credit, to some extent at or this important and progressive Bill which has b.een received so favourably on all sides of the House. I have always contended that the utilisation of Crown lands is the best line of action so far. as settlement is concerned —very much better than buying 'high valued, estates which are to-day producing at full capacity. Any scheme that will add to the settlement lands of .New Zealand'; out of virgin Crown lands will increase j the production of this country, and I ' am sure that it will be agreed that this is. a much desired result. Clause 6 makes provision for ~he land to be cleared in order to make it fit for settlement. In my opinion, this . clause will require very careful consideration and .administration, a 3 there are in New Zealand many, lands which do not warrant any expenditure. It is a wellknown fact that, no matter what work is carried out on some of the land, it will never be fit for farming. I believe,, I advocate very strongly, that a soil survey, should be made of the different lands of the Dominion before they are opened for selection. We know perfectly well that many lands that will be brought in through the operations of this measure will require a great deal of expenditure to make them fit for settlement, and it appears .to me tliat the soil should be analysed with a view to seeing what fertilisers are necessary to make it productive. One of the great costs which are involved in regard to all lands to-day and which the farmers have to contend with are in the direction of experiments. There is no doubt that we aro spending thousands of pounds in ascertaining what fertilisers, what plants, and what grasses arc suitable for our - different lands. In these circumstances, I think that the officers of the Department of .Industrial and Scientific Research should l:e called in.before any ,great expendituie is incurred en the remaining virgin lands of the Dominion. I am sorry that there is. no provision in the Bill for teaching the youth of the Dominion the business •of farming. I do not know whether the Minister has any intention of bringing in a Bill to provioe for this later in the session, but .I hope he will, for I believe it would'be of great value if, in the development of some of this Crown land, portion of it were set aside for the teaching of our young mien desirous of taking up farming. There are, I am sure, mauy young men who would bo glad to take advantage of the opportunity' of learning in a practical way the working of the land. Something on' the Flock House scheme would serve the purpose, and I hope the Minister will sse his way to deal with the matter befor-; very long. This Bill, I believe, wilt be oi ! great value in settling our undeveloped land, and with a few improvements it will be an advantage to land settlement generally to have it placed on the Statute Book.