GROUP SETTLEMENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1058, 23 August 1930, Page 6

GROUP SETTLEMENT

LANDS MINISTER CONSIDERS LEAGUE’S SCHEME NOW OBTAINING REPORT The Minister of Lands, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, intends to consider carefully the group settlement , scheme submitted to him by the New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League, and to assist him in coming to a decision he is obtaining reports from his departmental officers. This information was given to members of the league yesterday by the president, Mr. "W. J. IToldsworth, who recently interviewed the Minister. Mr. Holdsworth stated that the Minister had questioned the wisdom of control by an advisory committee, besides the department. In the speaker’s opinion, however, the value of supervision and advice that would be available under the league’s scheme was its strong feature. It was announced that many applications had been received for inclusion in the first group^ OVERSEAS LEAGUE’S SUPPORT The Auckland branch of tlie Overseas League decided, at a meeting yesterday, to co-operate actively in promoting land settlement. Members agreed it was desirable to work in conjunction with the Land Settlement League in the group settlement scheme it had advanced. Reporting on the findings of the subcommittee which considered the matter, Mr. N. G. Gribble stated that the committee favoured the bringing of settlement into strict relation to development, and at the present time encouraging only those with means to emigrate. The opinion was held that a scheme should be devised for young immigrant settlers, who, having served an apprenticeship.' were seeking an opportunity to hold land. The report of the committee was adopted, and it was decided to hold a Dominion conference of league branches in Auckland on September 16. Mr. .T. M. Melville was appointed to represent the league on the executive committee of the Land Settlement and Development League.