UNEMPLOYMENT AND LAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 16, 20 January 1931, Page 6

UNEMPLOYMENT AND LAND.

RETURNS FROM THE SOIL,

(To the Editor.)

An arresting commentary on our national mentality is found in the announcement that the Unemployment Board hr.n now get up a committee to do what was advocated by my league three years ago, i.e., by every possible means to increase and enlarge the returns from the soil. This essential but simple recommendation lias been urged by us consistently, but apparently there has not been sufficient of the political aurora to commend it to the politicians of this country until they are forced by starving hundreds to endeavour to brin* order out of chaos, although by wise precautions we might have very largely avoided anything further than temporary dislocation. The Unemployment Board itself will presently be driven to advocate • what we have urged, i.e., a settlement and migration board outeidi* of a political sphere, comprised of earnest, practical men who will make tlia business of the board their life work. It must be evident that the considerations which led to the appointment of the Unemployment Board were not such as would ensure the selection' of the best body of men to deal with the question of increased production from the soil. It is pitiful to think of the millions of pounds that have been wasted and the thousands of men now out of work, ninety per cent of which would have been unnecessary if the league's proposal* had been put into effect. One wonders how much longer we are to wait. N. G. CRIBBLE, Secretary, New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League.