LAND FOR SERVICEMEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 264, 20 August 1949, Page 6

LAND FOR SERVICEMEN

CRITICISM BY DAIRY CONFERENCE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Aug. It). “‘As common as lottery tickets,” was how Mr R. S. Bates described to the New Zealand Dairy Conference today the number of notices being sent out in the Hamilton Land District by the Government, to advise farmers it would he taking over a portion of their lands in June, 1950. Mr Bates, said the farmers did not know what price they would receive, and, therefore during the period of uncertainty, improvements were not, being pushed ahead in 1 lie normal manner. The conference unanimously passed the. following remits: (1) While conscious of our responsibilities in sell ling returned servicemen, this conference views, with alarm the present practice of the Government, of compulsorily taking over farm hind that is in full, efficient production. (2) That alteration oF the Land Sales Act, be recommended to prevent the confiscation of highly developed lands at 1912 values. (3) That large-scale development, of unimproved idle State and Maori land, capable of efficient production, be undertaken by the State, with tlie usb of heavy machinery, the Government, to absorb costs above economic value. Also to offer sufficient encouragement to private, individual owners, to. develop their own properties by measures designed to give security to tenure to the farmers concerned. .