SETTLING THE LAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 27, 25 February 1909, Page 4

SETTLING THE LAND.

In the early days of New Zealand, to attract population land was given away. But in these latter days we seem to have departed from the- simple fundamental economic truth that the real value of the land depends on occupation and production, and to have persuaded ourselves that it is better to keep land idle than to throw it open for settlement. That at least appears to be the attitude of the Government (says the Auckland Herald.) It is an attitude which strikes us as being wholly unjustifiable and to bo seriously retarding the progress of the Dominion. There are millions of acres in the North Island that are deliberately kept locked up from profitable occupation—that are allowed to remain in a state of nature although thousands arc eager to take up land. At every land ballot hundreds of applicants are turned away disappointed. We are glad to see that the workers in the cities are at last opening their eyes to the amazing folly and absurdity of such a state of tilings, that they arc at last becoming conscious of the close connection which exists between the country and the town, and how dependent is the prosperity of the latter upon the steady progress of land settlement. In their own interests and in the interests of the Dominion as a whole, we trust they will press on the Government the vital importance of taking immediate steps to facilitate the occupation of the great tracts of Crown and native land now lying unproductive. Herein lies the true solution of the present industrial situation, It is ridiculous to suppose that a rich and fertile country like New Zealand, with European population of less than a, million, is unable to absorb all the immigration that is coming or is likely to come to its shores. Its greatest need is population. Rutin inter to prevent excessive crowding ill the towns and a consequent surplus of labour it is imperative that, land should be made easily and readily accessible to all who seek it.