LAND FOR SETTLEMENT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 117, 4 February 1918, Page 6

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT

GOVERNMENT PURCHASE POLICY STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. Some criticisms have been advanced lately against tho soldiers' land settlement; policy of the Government, and the Prune Minister made some general references to these criticismi.aiul to the Government policy generally in a statement made to a Dominion reporter on Saturday. "I have noticed recently somo criticism of the soldiers' land settlement policy of the Government," said Mr. Massey, "but I vc-nturc to say that what has .been done will speak for itself and a2>peal to auyono who understands the question. In connection with this subject the Government havo a twofold object in view: they want to give thosv soldiers who are suited folate agricultural or pastoral life an opportunity of making homes for themselves and brooming prosperous settlors, and at the same timo by their industry increase the productiveness of the Dominion, and assist their felkiwcitizens to meet the liabilities resulting from the war expenditure.' Ono sapient critic thinks that we should not buy large blocks.of land, but shoi'ld buy our small farmers. Could anything be sillier or more foolishP For instance, in the Otago district, where this critic resides, the Government have recently bought two largo blocks of lfnd at very low prices, in proportion to the value of -tile land, and tbesi , blocks will cut up into over IGC[ farms. Surely no one with any intelligence will d'lggest that it would be better for the State to buy. .100 small forms than to purchase those two large blo<:l;s. No argument is necessary on the point, and this land will be kepi, for-soldiers so that as our boys come back thn land will be subdivided .-ind ready foe Vnem to settle upon. The Lards Department is arranging to have different varieties of holdings to suit the various tastes of the new settlers and their circumstances and conditions; sheep farms' for the pastonilists; dairy farms for those who prefer that variety of farming; poultry farms, land suitable for fruit growing, and soon. There will be .many men'partially incapacitated who could not possjbly'be expected to take up uniihproved land m the back country, but who will do very will on small farms near to railways, good roads, and the cent-nw of population. Then, by the Act of last year, the principles of the Workers' Homes Art. may be applied either in town or country for the benefit of returned soldiers, snd homos w'tjl be,erected for those who require them, though owing to the excessive cost of building material I do not advise building on an extensive scale until tho wa,v comes to an end. I advise no one to go on to the land unless ho is prepared to put up with a certain amount of hardship, bufc_ w(>re tho new settler is physically sii'led to take up new country I advise him to do so, and with energy and industry and grit in ten years' time he will be much better off than if lie had settled down on land already fully improved I am speakiwr of those who are able to put up with hardship, but I know perfectly well that there are many of our men whom it would! be cruel to place on a bush or swamp section. The Act of last session allows sections selected by these men themselves to be purchased for individual soldiers, and in some instances -this has been done.

"Up" till the end of the year 600 soldier settlers had been placed on the land and were, in of their sections. There had been a few failures, but only a comparatively very small proportion. Tlis Land Boards and officers of the Lands Department are taking a- very keen interest in these settlements, -and! are doing everything possible to assist the soldiers. Just at present these settlers have many difficulties to put up with owing to the very high price of fencing and building material, and even of implements and appliances, but these high prices are only temporary and will end with the war.

"The Department is sotting apart blocks of the best of the bush land now remainins, and- when the opportunity offers soldiers wjll be employed getting it ready for settlement, making roatls and doing all the work which is necessary to break in new. country.

"I wnnt it understood, and I have stated this repeatedly, tint we aro out to' do the best we can for the men mid at the same time for the Dominion. When \yp buy land we buy it because the Land Purchase Board considers it suitable for our purpose. We don't buy it to suit lend speculators or others interested. We are out to make the scheme a success, and though there will be failures, I believe the Foliem" as a whole will be successful. It will stand criticism, and Ministers don't mind thai- sort of thing, but I would ask persons who oijjrht to know better to assist and rneouratre rlie new men, as. manv patriotic citizens are doing, rather than hinder and diwourace them by croaking criticism. w.hieh does no one any good, and often does -\ great of lijiTni. In a book recentlv miblished in England. "The Awakening "f an Emnirfl.' by R. H. W'-bsto, there .is a chapter on soldiers' land settlement, in which tho author make* iroec'al reference to what New Zeakvd is doing, and v;inds no by sayinsr, 'Would they could galvanise us into doing something of the same kind here.' To thn.t I would likn to odd, this is nor- the. only direction 'in lrhicli .New Zealand has led the Empire duriug the war."