IMMIGRATION METHODS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 345, 4 May 1928, Page 12

IMMIGRATION METHODS

NEED FOR FARMERS LAND SETTLEMENT POLICY Satisfied that past immigration methods have not been satisfactory the New Zealand Land Settlement League discussed the problem thoroughly yesterday. “Something more human and intelligent than the present system is desirable,” said members. Mr. W. J. Holdsworth was in the chair. It was considered that the most desirable form was that of boys or families, which would adapt themselves Readily to local conditions. Several members who had recently visited the Old Country expressed the opinion that direct-contact migration was the most desirable form. Only persons likely to become farmers, or to fill some special local industrial need existing at the time or likely to arise, should he taken. The need for a board to devise the best meai|; of stimulating primary production and evolving a comprehensive land settlement and immigration system, was stressed, and "it was decided again to ask the Government to set up the board. GOOD LANDS IDLE “At the present moment in the Dominion we have large areas of good land lying idle,” said a member. “A great deal of this is privately owned, and land agents and others state there is a difficulty in filling the requirements for one-man farms with suitable buildings where annual charges would be such as to allcw a reasonable margin of profit. Where farmers hold too much land, some means might be devised by which they might divest themselves of the superfluous area, and the prospective settler might receive such assistance in erecting buildings as would enable him to make a start as a producer on his own account.” The board might arrange farm supervisors to watch progress and give advice. CAMPS FOR BOYS The system of cadet-group settlement, by which boys in the Dominion and from overseas could be jointly trained in large camps to occupy portions of the group holding, gave scope for work. By such means it should be possible to ensure a steady supply of young trained farmers who would carry settlement radiating as far as possible from the developed lands as they existed to-day. Such a form of settlement would reduce the heavy taxation charges which must arise from pushing out far from present settled areas. Financially - embarrassed farmers might be considerably assisted if a system of revaluation could be followed and a proportion of the toolarge holdings assimilated in a settlement policy under which bonds would be offered with a reasonable valuation placed upon the land. There would be no satisfactory solution of the unemployment policy until an active progressive settlement spirit was established. If a thousand hew farms were brought into being this year it would mean the relief of 3,000 or 4,000 bread-winners.