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Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 994, 10 June 1930, Page 11

MINISTER REVIEWS OPERATIONS PROPERTIES PURCHASED Press Association WOODYILLE, Monday. Land settlement matters were discussed by the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands, in an address at Woodville this evening. The Minister stated that the Reform Government during 16 months prior to going out of office had purchased two properties comprising 478 acres at a cost of £3.395, and those represented only two holdings. During the first 1G months of office of the United Government, 37 properties had been purchased, comprising 59,806 acres, at a cost of £623,309, and providing 176 holdings. The present Government had disposed of 2,594 holdings, comprising 54,500 acres, of all tenures. The secretary of the Reform League had given credit to the Government for settling 124 new settlers, but the actual figures up to May 27 were: New sections offered, 491; new sections selected. 463: new area offered. 159,334 acres; new area selected, 105,G84 acres; average cost of section selected, £1,277. The Minister stated that the number of sections available would increase as the work of the advisory committees progressed. The offerings for June and July were as follow: Improved sections, 37; partially improved, 67; undeveloped, 57; total, 161. The policy of the Government was to create closer settlement by the purchase of private estates and by facilitating settlement of idle Crown lands. Development operations had been in hand for some time on two areas in the Soflth Auckland district. The Minister mentioned that the Ngahuru block, near Rotorua, of 2,200 acres, had been subdivided into sections of 200 acres, and was being improved at an estimated cost of £7 16s an acre. It was expected that this class of land ■would carry one cow to two and a-half acres. The Te Ivauwhata block comprised 1,000 acres, which was being subdivided into eight sections. Already advisory committees were engaged in investigating other areas with a view to their development on similar lines. UNITED’S FIRST ACT Mr. Ransom claimed that the first Land Act of the United Government provided a new era in land settlement. Those holding or taking up undeveloped or partially-developed Crown lands could receive advances up to 90 per cent, of the cost of the work, with a maximum of £1,250. A preliminary test of SO sections to be selected under these conditions had already been made and additional sections were being offered from time to time. Referring to the Advances to Settlers Department, he stated that from December, 1928, to December, 1929, the figures were:—Settlers, £4,338,340; workers, £3,327,636; loans paid, £6,347,137; funds added to State Advances capital, £4,371,240. The whole of the arrears to the Advances to Settlers Office had been overtaken since the Government took office. Dealing with the land and income tax, the Minister said the Government had placed the burden on the shoulders of those best able to bear it. The previous Government had preached this but had not practised it, as many escaped under the hardship clause. Wealthy landowners with £30,000 income had escaped, while a manager with an income of £SOO had paid. They would see how far the Opposition would assist them to make the Act as nearly perfect as possible. Mr. Ransom quoted figures to show that three taxpayers had to pay an additional tax of £6,030 compared with the previous year. Special land-tax was assessed at £360,000. and remissions under the hardship clause amounted to £95,000.