"MINE OF WEALTH."

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 123, 27 May 1930, Page 21

"MINE OF WEALTH."

UNDEVELOPED LANDS. PROSPECTS OF SETTLEMENT. TOUR OF INVESTIGATION. Delighted with the prospects of settlement in the North, the delegation of the New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League, consisting of Messrs. Holdsworth, M. G. MeArthur, R. Glover-Clark and X. G. Gribble, returned to Auckland ou Sunday night. The league, which has made a feature of urging "the improvement of large unproductive areas, and particularly vacant Crown and native lands, considers that in order to meet presentday conditions operations should he," in the initial stages, en comprehensive lines. The delegation found that throughout the North there are areas of easy country with the necessary access, well watered, and free from noxious weeds, which, in- the opinion of the more progressive farmers, could be brought to production stage at very low figures. In all centres where meetings were addressed the keenest appreciation was shown, and speakers commented on the fact that the city interests were appreciating the basic imDortance of land settlement. In view of the fact that the question is being treated by the league from the national aspect, the delegation considers that there are possibilities in the North jfflr profitable settlement of hundreds of the "landhungry 35 unemployed, and that the large public" expenditure on railways and highways can only bear a corresponding return to the Dominion if settlement is actively prosecuted. "We have had a most interesting and profitable tour,'- said Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, "and as a league an inspiration has been given us to foster public opinion energetically and let the people know what a mine of wealth lies open to us in our at present undeveloped lands." * "It has been most gratifying," said Mr. Gribble, "to have the local authorities and representative farmers anxious to form branches of the league and give us the necessary local interest and information to enable us to serve the country best. We have formed branches in. Palmerston North. Wanganui, Wellington, Dargaville, Whangarei, Bay of Islands, Hokianga, Kaitaia and Rotorua." Steps will be taken to have a public meeting in Auckland shortly to lay the league's proposals before 'the public and give a report of the tour.