IN THE PUBLIC MIND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 135, 9 June 1932, Page 6

IN THE PUBLIC MIND.

LAND SETTLEMENT. A 50-ACRE SCHEME. (To the Editor.) The cry of the politician and others is far more production, whereas the cry should be for more producers. My scheme is to create more producers, the corollary of which is more production. There arc thousands of acres of Crown land lying idle. The best of this land should be formed into 1000-acre settlements and these subdivided into jO-aere sections. A Public Works hutment should be erected on each 50-acre section, and through the Liicmplovment Department 20 unemployed married men selected for each settlement. In the first instance men accustomed to farm work— ploughing, fencing, draining—would be desirable. Their combined work would be a\ailable oil these sections to break in the land and bring it to productivity. Each settlement of 20 could elect from among themselves one to act as overseer. His responsibility would be to see the work apportioned and carried out, and he should be paid a bonus on results. Wages would need to be paid on the present unemployment rates, but with a definite promise to the men willing to undertake the work that the farms would be offered to them oil leasehold when ready to produce. Arrangements could be made to finance the occupiers for the purchase of stock, etc., repayments to he spread over a period of three years. The fiist year of tenancy should be rent free, and' thereafter a reasonable yearly rental charged. I feel sure thousands of married men would gladly take advantage of such a scheme, and it would be of lasting benefit to our country. Single men and married men not accustomed to farm work, but strong and willing enough to give it a go, could get their opportunity after the scheme had been proved a success. I commend this to Mr. Coates in preference to his 10-acre scheme, which, to my way of thinking, would neither benefit the "unemployed worker nor the country, as no one can make a living off ten acres unless by market gardening. Small holdings and closer settlement is what is wanted, and such a scheme as above would be a step in that direction. W. L. PIEIE.

PAPER BLANKETS,

May I again draw attention to the fact that unnecessary discomfort is being endured during these cold, frosty nights because parents are so thoughtless and will not use the daily "Star" asi a covering for themselves and their children after they have finished reading it. A covering as warm as four or five blankets can easily be made, and will last for several seasons if taken care of. Get a cotton blanket, or an old thin one, spread it out and put ten or twelve sheets of the "Star" all over this foundation. Overlap at the edges of the paper so that there is no space between the layers. Two widths of 27in cretonne sewn together will make a com-fortable-looking cover for the quilt or cover. Cut up some old cloth or other material to form buttons. Then get a long packing needle and seaming twine. Tie a piece of the cloth to the twine to form the button. Push the needle from below, through cretonne, paper and blanket and pull up tightly. Then tie another bit of cloth to form a button on the upper side. Sew these buttons about Ift apart all over the quilt, especially where the papers overlap, so as to prevent the papers moving about, and then turn the edge of cretonne over and stitch to the blanket' and the quilt is complete. SYMPATHY.

WORK, NOT CHARITY.

A pitiful position seems to have arisen in regard to men considered by the Government to be unfit for work in camps'. Such men are not to b» given any other work, but will become a charge on charitable aid. Surely a more ridiculous scheme has never been put forth. To quote my own case: I have never had a day's illness in my life, yet I am a discharged, medically unfit soldier, I have a leg injury that does not trouble me in the least under ordinary conditions, but should a little extra -strain be put on it, it at once begins to swell and becomes so painful that it is impossible to carry on. I have been on relief work for the past twelve months and can do two or three days' a- week on the pick and shovel without any bother, but if I were compelled to do six days a week the leg would "crack up" at once. There are plenty of men like myself, capable and willing to do two or three days a week, but our injuries prevent us from doing more, yet the Government refuses to let us do the work we are able and willing to do. In place of work it insults us with an offer of charitable aid. This is not playing the game with the men who volunteered when their country needed their assistance as much as they need assistance now. DIGGER,

WHAT NEW ZEALAND NEEDS,

The article appearing in the "Star" of l the 30th ult. oil Denmark's cultural an<l material progress shows the way for New Zealand to become prosperous and progressive. The ratio of population in town and country is out of balance; instead of 25 per cent in the country we should have 50 per cent, as New Zealand must depend to a large extent on primary production for many years to come. We require a vigorous land settlement policy.. Our Crown lands should bo brought into cultivation and settlement established thereon as the only permanent remedy for our present unemployment and effects of depression. How is this to be financed? We should have a State bank with a note and silver issue of, sa J*3 £10,000.000, to be used for development purposes and loans to settlers. The security for such an issue would be the production and assets of the country. Some of your correspondents are advocating such an idea. There would not be any interest to pay and some of the issue could be earning interest on loans to local bodies, etc. The present policy of the Unemployment Board is only a partial remedy and a large amount of the money is wasted; the unemployed need regular work of a useful and productive kind, so that their manhood and moral may not deteriorate. The finding of such work should be the first duty of any Government, as it is necessary to the well-being of any country. PHOG 1! ESS.

THE LUXURY OF MOUNT EDEN.

I am sure the dependents of the prisoners will be delighted to read Mrs. Dreaver's account of the "home-like prison, Mount Eden.'' It is quite a revelation to all those who .have worked for years amongst prisoners, and we are eagerly searching for the man who thinks it so home-like, and so far we have not met him, neither have we met tlie man who does not want to leave. Perhaps now that Mrs. Dreaver •lias painted such a glowing picture, some grateful man will come forward tu corroborate the statement. The food there lias been improved, but from a dietitian's point of view still requires a good deal of reform as regards fats and f'ruit, but of course Mrs. Dreaver will be able to tell the Penal He form League, what is necessary for health and will be able to give valuable assistance as to the mental altitude of the prisoner whilst serving a long term in this home of rest —miscalled Mount Eden gaol. PENAL EEFOKM.