LAND SETTLEMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 108, 28 April 1908, Page 2

LAND SETTLEMENT.

l- THE ALLEGED EXODUS I'U IJI'EKASi- , LAND. j per Press Association. , Auckland, Last Niglit. - Jlr. tiarland, Auckland provincial sci- > rotarv of the New Zealand EavmersUnion, says that the announcement that many New Zealand farmers arc arranging to take up land in Queensland happily does not apply to Auckland province. "There is no doubt, however," he continued, "that sie "'fj l ' laml vi ' l " ll ' tions in this country and the slowness of the tloveiuiuent in throwing open lands for settlement, coupled with the extraordinary tenure under the present law, are the chief factors in inducing the fanners in the South to seek land elsewhere, By extraordinary tenure, I mean the 33 years' lease, which no man wants. It will be found that the renewable lease, either under the 33 years or (iti years system, will be as dead as Caesar before this decade is out. Insecurity of tenure will always lead men from a country where it existed to one where the tenure is secure. No mait who had visited Australia could fail to recognise the immensity of the country and its great fertility at all times than in drought seasons, The drought, however, was the drawback. If it is wise the New Zealand Government will make a strong bid to keep the farmers here.' | When asked to give his view- on the i subject, the Attorney-deneral (Hon. Dr. I Findlay) said: "I think with the assistance the Government affords, New Zealand is infinitely better for the small i settler than Queensland. I don't think i there's likely to be a large exodus; I t .should say no exodus at all of New I Zealanders to Queensland. One swallow u does not make a summer. When the legislation ot last session has come fairly into play, there will be an in- \ creasing amount of land available for closer settlement, especially in the North Island, with the opening up of the native land areas."