PROBLEMS OF THE LAND

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1926, Page 9

PROBLEMS OF THE LAND

CONFERENCE AT AUCKLAND BOARD OF INQUIRY SET UP. EVIDENCE TO BE TAKEN. By Telegraph.—Prcas Association. Auckland, Last Night. An important conference on land set* tlcmcnt was held to-night, Sir Andrew Russell presiding. The Minister of Lands, Hon. A. D. McLeod, the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. O. J. Ilawken, and the Minister of Health, Hon. J. A. Young, were present, as were also Sir James Allen. Mr. J. B. Thompson, Under Secretary of Lands, Dr. Reakes, Director-General of ~ Agriculture, and numerous farmers. There were thirty or forty speeches, and the following resolution was carried: “That this meeting considers a board of inquiry, with power to call evidence, should be set up forthwith to ascertain the conditions that are preventing the profitable occupation of land already in occupation and retarding the settlement of the undeveloped lands of New Zealand with a view to thefr removal.” A good deal of discussion took place regarding the course of action, a proposal to set tip a Dominion committee being eventually dropped on the ground of expense. It was then proposed that the Government's attention be directed to the problems of land settlement, and the financial burdens of the farmer, and that the Farmers’ Union and the Royal Agricultural Society be asked to take charge of the matter. The Hon. A. D. McLeod, when intervie wed to-day, said the Government would welcome an inquiry into land set- • tlement, but it could not have a large and expensive committee travelling about the country. It wo.uld gladly accept suggestions for the .personnel of the committee of inquiry/ 1 but the nominees must be representative farmers and the Government must Tiave the right to make its own appointments as well. When the new proposal was carried, a committee consisting of Messrs C. C. Munro, W. G. Gribble, W. J. Broadfoot, Edwin Battling, C. J. Belcher (Eltham), M. G. McArthur and A. A. Ross, was set up to wait on the Royal Show Society and the Farmers’ Union in the course of the next few days.