LAND SETTLEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 112, 14 May 1929, Page 9

LAND SETTLEMENT.

SEEKING A SOLUTION. INTEREST TO ALL PARTIES. AUCKLAND CONFERENCE TO-DAY. Under the auspices of the New Zealand Land Settlement League a land settlement conference was held in the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon. Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, chairman of the executive, presided, and there were members of Parliament present from' all parts of the Auckland Province. It was stated that the league wished to emphasise the necessity for co-opera-tion between all political groups, so that an understanding could be arrived at, and an endeavour made to frame a national land settlement policy which should be given a fair trial for a period, so that the subject might be removed from the arena of party politics. Coincident with this, the league considered that it was essential that a land settlement and migration board should be set up with local advisory committees. The finance should be provided in co-operation with the Imperial Government for Empire settlement and arrangements as to details should be come to between the respective countries. Of Extreme Importance. "The league views the matter as of extreme importance, and is impressed with the fact that in Europe the land hunger caunot be satisfied," said Mr. Holdsworth. "In America and parts of the British Empire there is a national movement to exploit national resources by attracting population—the most valuable of all assets. The problem of unemployment indicates that the development of the land has lagged in relation to industry, and the only field with unlimited scope is that of agriculture," continued the chairman. "The position can be remedied; but it will take time, and at the moment it is necessary to obtain relief by some measures which will utilise the large financial accumulations in the banks to the developing of our natural resources. Legislative facilities will be required, and it is to be hoped that these will be put through as soon as possible, so that some measure of immediate assistance may be granted and the future assured." Mr. Holdsworth went on to say that evidence had been brought before the league that hundreds of lads, with the necessary qualifications, would be delighted to start on their own account if some scheme such as the cadet group settlement scheme was established. The Salvation Army, Church of England- and similar organisations would welcome a State movement in that direction. Suggested Schemes. The following forms of settlement were considered feasible, and would be suggested to the Settlement and Migration Board:— (a) Settlement camps, wher3 large areas are improved by men who subsequently have the opportunity of obtaining the individualised farms at cost of production. Men used to hard work, even without farm experience, could be used for this". (b) Group settlement, something on the West Australian lines, where settlers are taken on to their respective holdings, given a house, and work under skilled supervision until the holdings are self-supporting. Preferably for family men with farm experience. (c), Zone settlement, where isolated farms within a given radius are passed over to men with the necessary experience to be improved under close supervision. Essential to have farm experience. (d) Cadet group settlement, which is designed on the lines of (a) to meet the requirements of boys who have had some little farm experience. It is considered that the inducement of early proprietorship would start a flow of boys from the school*io a farm life. It was stated that these suggestions presume provision by the State of the necessary land, and progressive finance to enable settlers to make a start, but every effort should-he made to encourage self-reliance, and to that end bare necessities only to be provided, and'all finance should be in relation to progressive improvements effected.