UNITED'S LAND POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 268, 12 November 1928, Page 11

UNITED'S LAND POLICY.

MR. SPEIRS IN GOOD FORM. ADVOCATE OF GROUP SETTLEMENT. CANDIDATE CHEERED BY AUDIENCE. Cheers and prolonged applause were given Mr. R. Speirs, the United candidate for City West, at the conclusion of his speech in All Saints' Hall on Saturday evening. The building was taxed to its utmost, many being unable to gain admission. Mr. Speirs made a great lighting speech which was punctuated with rounds of applause. Mr. Prust Stewart, barrister and solicitor, presided. In explaining his presence, Mr. Stewart said a last-minute circular had been issued by the Reform party in the electorate on which it was stated that he was on their candidate's committee. "I have in the past been an active member of Reform's organisation in City West, but in this election I am in no way connected with any of its party organisations. I am not a member ol Mr. Adeane's committee, and I refused Reform's requests to help in any shape or form, and if my name is in their circular it is there without my permission," said Mr. Stewart. "It is only fair to Mr. Speir's that any misapprehension on the matter should be cleared up publicly and at unoe." When the candidate had completed his address, Mr. Stewart said: "On the day, I wish to say definitely, I shall support Mr. Speirs. (Loud applause.)

At the outset of his remarks Mr. Speirs said he had been taken to task by a certain newspaper for attacking the personnel of the Legislative Council. He wished to make it quite clear that he had never done so. What he did attack, however, was the method of appointment, and he was against the council as at present constituted because it had the power of veto. Some of the appointments were purely political favours, and these should, in his opinion, be the prerogative of the people. (Applause.) Another matter which lie wished to clear up was that he had also been misreported concerning his visit to Great Barrier Island. Mr. Speirs said he had not stated that he was the only candidate to visit the island. Getting down to business, the candidate said the main theme of his address that evening would be land settlement problems, making particular reference to the small farmer. It was a Government's duty to endeavour to have all suitable land producing, and in that connection every assistance should be given. Up to the present there had been a lack of rural finance and much red tape delay. In a great number of cases the State had let farmers down badly.

• A Voice: And yet you will set. Reform got back on Wednesday.

Mr. Speirs: Well, sir, make no mistake, we will sec a great difference this time next week. (Loud applause.)

The candidate went on to criticise . .Reform's administration in connection with, hnd settlement and strongly castigated ' tWit party ' for not endeavouring to develop undeveloped lands. It wat> the United .party's policy to Tackle tn«. problem by introducing the group settlement and zone systems of farming and settlement. Under these schemes people would be encouraged to go on the land -because social, medical, schooling; access, and many other vital matters would necessarily be greatly improved. [1% I" To Help the Farmers.

» It was proposed to help farmers by finding money for stock as well as for land. The State Advances Department qps the best possible institution as far aS farming was concerned, but it should be overhauled. The advances to settlers should be to settlers only and advances to workers for, workers-.only. By the group'system. of farthing disabilities and existing handicaps would be done away with." ; The first convenience to settle■qcnt sras an all-weather metal road from distributing points, : and these roadg shoifid* be formed and. completed before settlement took place.? Mortgages had heeni-'lifr ,in excess of what farmers were able to carry. This state of affairs had been attributable to various causes, chief of which was that land was too highly valued and assessments had not been I made on their productive values. Tht United party would make legislation which would help in the settlement of productive lands of the Dominion. Answering questions, Mr. Speirs said if there was another war he was in favour of conscripting, all the nation's forces. That was to say, if man power 'was conscripted, then likewise wealth should be conscripted. He reiterated his statement, "I win not be a party to any vote to keep Keform in power." The usUal vote of thanks and confix dence was proposed, but the chairman explained that Mr. Speirs wished only for a vote of thanks, because he wanted the.vote-of confidence to be given at the ballot-box on Wednesday. Cheers were given for Sir Joseph Ward, the candidate, and the United party and the chairman. ?i .