ESTABLISHING A SETTLOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 249, 20 October 1928, Page 19

ESTABLISHING A SETTLOR.

COST ESTIMATED AT fiIOOO.

LAND LEAGUE'S DISCUSSION.

At a meeting of the New Zealand Land Settlement and Development Lea ?" e > Mr- W. J. Holdsworth presiding, information was received from Wellington with the report of a representative gathering to meet Lord Lovat, chairman of the Empirei Settlement Board. Mr. Skevingt?n» who represented Lord Lovat, had given encouragement to members, and the Minister of Lands, who attended, stated that oh a population basis New Zealand was in a better position than Australia so far as th© absorption of migrants was concerned. He would listen with interest to any proposals definitely, made as to the settlement of land in big areas. The league was asked to send a delegate to a farewell meeting with Lord Lovat, and it was decided that the chairman, if possible, should attend. A letter was received from a property owner asking if the league could give any information as to the proposals covered in the recent Land Laws 'Amend* meat. It was decided to ask the Government to hasten the making of the necessary regulations so that settlemeht in this direction might be pushed forward. . r, .1 •

'.'}£** A- A. Ross save intereeting details of a visit, to the Rotorua district, and stated -that in his impression the results obtained under the Homestead Settlement Act were quite good, provided the man going on the land has enough money to make a start and wing hia section Into a self-rapporting condition. "

. ilr. J. Makgill agreed with Mr. Ross pro*id«d finance was available the for' settlement on partlyimproved land were the most desirable. Sff. N. G. Gribble stated that he lwyi been approached, by reOTcsoitatives of the unetnployed; in Anddand who would like to discuss the possibility of their being givena chance in the country. Pleasure was expressed at the indication that the attitude of the league was appreciated, and its desire for settlement understood In the quarters mentioned. ■ ~ ..

Authentic figures obtained from undoubted sources showed that a simple four-toomed dwelling could be erected on a holding for undSr £300. Letters received from practical farmers set out the ftet cost of bringing land into production, including fencing, shelter and water, at £7 per acre. The cost of the land, plus building completed at a similar amount, would make the cost of the folding £14 per acre. The chairman expressed pleasure that authentic figures find been obtained, and that they proved that, the estimate of the Minister of Lands of the cost of establishing a settler, was far too, high. •' *'• ••• *. i" j -- i, > t . ..... .. I