UNSETTLED LANDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 879, 24 January 1930, Page 16

UNSETTLED LANDS

INSPECTION OF FOREST RESERVE ASKED MR. SAMUEL’S OPINIONS Although the Advisory Lands Committee for the Auckland district is to inspect the Kaueranga (Thames) Crown lands block oh January 28, the large area of land between Waihi and Whangamata is not to be inspected because most of the land is provisional or permanent State forest reserve and does not come within the category of Crown lands. On this assumption, Mr. A. M. Samuel, M.P. for Thames, has written to the Minister of Lands, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, expressing disappointment and saying that lands owned by- the Government, no matter how classed, are Crown lands. The fact that they are administered by different departments should * not be a bar to their settlement, if suitable. As he understands an inspection of the Whangamata reserve is to be made next month by the heads of the departments of lands, forestry and agriculture, Mr. Samuel has asked the Minister to allow- the officers to be accompanied by the two farmer representatives on the Advisory Lands Committee so that a comprehensive report can be made from the one inspection. This would prevent a duplication of work and would allow the lands to be settled at an earlier date. In Mr. Samuel's opinion, the only chance New Zealand has of solving unemployment is for a vigorous prosecution of the land legislation enacted last, session. He believes there are tremendous areas in Auckland Province capable of settlement which would mean the absorption of a large percentage of the workless population and an increase in production. “The Minister has all the machinery at his disposal and should not be afraid to set it going as early as possible,” states Mr. Samuel.