LAND SETTLEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 289, 6 December 1928, Page 27

LAND SETTLEMENT.

' A SPREADING- MOVEMENT. INTERESTED WORKERS. The Dominion-wide interest in settlement of the land was indicated at a meeting of workers at the Purewa Public Works camp last evening, when Mr. N. Gv Gribble, secretary of the New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League, addressed a meeting, and was given a most attentive hearing. Mr. Day, president of the local branch of the New Zealand Workers' Union, presided, and stated that those who had heard Mr. Gribble previously desired more information on the subject, and had therefore invited him to the camp. There was no doubt that the subject was of vital interest, and it appealed to those who could see that cultivation of the land was the only permanent industry. In his opening remarks Mr. Gribble pointed out that the world-wide "back to the land" movement was of the utmost importance to New Zealand, which would shortly find itself competing increasingly with European countries on the world's markets. It appeared that the present movement, with its unique phenomenon of a plethora of capital, vast areas of unimproved land, and widespread unemployment, was ideal for the establishment of a Dominion settlement policy. The New Zealand Land Settlement League was striving by every possible means to bring together the elements stated on a sound economic basis. It was a tragedy to see large sums expended on unemployment relief, which at best could be only of a temporary nature. The sum of £250,000 was stated as likely to represent the amount required in the Auckland district for the purpose named, and this amount, with a £ for £ subsidy from the Government, could be utilised to establish 500 families on the land. The security of the improved holdings would represent probably the full amount expended. At present the money spent wag gone for ever, leaving at best a public work on which private enterprise had to earn a return. The present political position pave opportunities for statesmanlike action, and the league wished to ascertain definite figures as to how many qualified men there were available and willing to-day to go on to land and settle there if provision rould be made to give them a start. The Homestead Act and the recent Land Laws Amendment still left the difficulty of the £1000 necessary to establish the settler on a payable holding. It would pay the country to bridge this hiatus, and by such means relieve unemployment, and increase production which would in itself provide more work for men in the cities. If the funds were found from public sources it would be necessary to maintain close supervision in the early stages, and to that end it was proposed that settlement should be grouped or zoned. Local successful farmers would, it was thought, be only too glad to assist wtih friendly advice, and a practical farm manager could. under a proper system, look after a lareer number i>f holdings. Answering Mr. Gribble considered that if fame"* were nvailable it would probablv be possible to extend the scheme to individual holdings so long as they were within a "/one" where they could be easily supervised. It would be a sine qua non that if the State took the full financial responsibility close supervision must be

maintained. Asked as to asparagus growing, the speaker stated that New Zealand had ideal conditions for this industry. It was spoken of in California ae "white gold," and he would welcome a move in the direction of its trial establishment. The meeting carried a vote of thanks, with acclamation, and a committee was set up to forward names of those interested, and full details as to their experience, etc.