VILLAGE SETTLEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 15, 19 January 1931, Page 10

VILLAGE SETTLEMENT.

UNEMPLOYED PROPOSAL.

LAND WANTED FOR 500 MEN

LABOUR M.P. OFFERS SSUPPORT,

Under the auspices of the Unemployed Workers' Association avmceting of Auckland unemployed was held in the Trades Hall this morning. An address was given by Mr. M. J. Savaige, M.P. for Auckland West.

An official report of the proceedings states that the attendance was about 700 and that in the course of his speech Mr. Savage, who was favourably received, offered to help the association in its village settlement scheme proposals, concerning which the following resolution was passed: "That the association volunteer to supply r>oo or more picked men to establish a village settlement on lines that will enable men and • their families, who wish 'to do so, to make homes upon the land. Men taking part in the preparation of the settlement •shall get preference in taking up sections; the Government to supply all niatcrials- necessary for making the settlement and generally preparing the land for occupation with prospects of immediate return; all land to-be, made available for settlement on its productive value; and all work to be carried out under ordinary conditions and paid for at standard rates."'

Mr. M. Riley, secretary of the association, said that the village settlement scheme did not mean that tho association was shelving the question of finding work for tha unemployed. It was the businc'iHo of the association'to keop that aspect before the public as much as ' possible. A' previous meeting" had decided to telegraph to the acting, prime Minister endorsing the .proposal of Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour party, that Parliament should bs summoned at an early date to consider the present unemployment position.

"RED" INFLUENCE DENIED

ASSOCIATION NON-POLITICAL,

"Statements have been published that the". Communist element has Been taking part in our activities," said Mr. M. Ejlcy, secfetarv of 'tho Unemployed WofKers' A'ssociatYon, 'to-day.' "Wp want t6 deny that absolutely. This association is nonparty; ...it .dissociates itself from any activity of a Communist or other party character. Its duty, as it sees it, is solely io place the claims "of the unemployed before'the public and to see what can !be .done .immediately torelieve distress . It will use any j'neans in its power to bring this about." It was announced at a meeting this morning that the unemployed will meet ao-ain at the Trades Hall to-morrow, following, a procession from the Labour Bureau.