“FOOLS’ PARADISE”

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20265, 6 August 1937, Page 2

“FOOLS’ PARADISE”

SUNDAY ISLAND. SETTLEMENT DISCOURAGED. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON. Thursday. 44 I am hopeful that, as the result of publicity no other members of our community will be carried away by alluring pen-pictures painted by prospectuses or by agents to spend their savings on what has been proved to be a fools’ paradise,” stated the Minister in charge of Lands for Settlement, the Hon. F. Langstone, to-day. .Statements made by the five returned settlers in a conference with the Minister on Wednesday, following their evacuation from the island by the Government ship Maui Pomare, were referred to by the Minister. . 44 Following the arrival of the men at Lyttelton, a statement appeared in the press to ‘the effect that they had been directed not to make any public disclosures until they had discussed matters with the Government. The men deny making such a statement, and 1 can find no evidence of any Government official giving such a direction. 44 In my opinion," continued' Mr Langstone, 44 those who for their own pecuniary benefit send young settlers —one of them is only 19 years of age —to this isolated island are deserving of public censure. Evidence produced by the settlers leaves no doubt as to the identity of the person responsible, notwithstanding the fact that that person wrote to me denying any responsibility and asking me to withdraw my allegation. My response to his request was to invite him to publish a disclaimer, but no such disclaimer appeared.”