LAND SETTLEMENT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 110, 11 May 1943, Page 4

LAND SETTLEMENT

NATIONAL PARTY POLICY SCHEME FOB SERVICEMEN (0.C.) HAMILTON, Monday. Brief reference to- the National party's land settlement policy was made by the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Holland, when addressing a large audience in Hamilton this evening"l believe we have available to the people of New Zealand the best, most practicable and, worthwhile land settlement scheme that has ever been put forward in this country," said Mr. Holland. The objective was to have an increasingly large number of prosperous, independent, self-reliant farmers producing wealth that could be exchanged for the goods which other countries could provide and which could not be made in this country. Mr. Holland said the guiding principle of the scheme would be the settlement of' ex-servicemen on the land at its productive value and no more. Those who had not had previous experience of farming would be first given sound training. A group system would be established, as had- been done in West Australia, and as areas became ready for production they would be balloted for by those in the group. The land mignt cost £30 an acre to develop, but the productive value might not be more than £28. The difference, said Mr. Holland, would be borne by the country as a whole. Speculation in land would be prohibited under the scheme. Rural settlers would be given the same amenities available in the cities at the same rate the city people paid. Provision would be made for the repayment of principal in reduction of mortgages. . ~' . Native land settlement would be carried out in conjunction with ordinary settlement so as to check the growth of noxious weeds. Mr. Holland was given an enthusiastic reception and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.