CLOSER SETTLEMENT

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 133, 1 March 1929, Page 13

CLOSER SETTLEMENT

Sir, —I think “Another New Zealander” is one of many who seem to delight in destructive rather than constructive . criticism. Since writing on the Feilding proposition I have been credibly informed that it is possible the price of this land may reach £6O per acre. Assume this to be the case then a 50-acre section at that figure, in most cases devoid of any buildings, would cost £3OOO. Under the “Advances to Settlers” one could get £2OOO at a yearly instalment of £144 for 364 years. On top of this would be a cottage to live in, a milking shed, stock, etc. The beginner would start handicapped by the price of land, the fact that dairy stock is still on the upward grade, and the possibility of a drop in the market price of produce during the next, few years. Thus I think I am not far out in stating that the going (financially) would be hard in the first few years. The question for so many parents is finding employment for their children, and the columns of the Press should be used to express the views of the public in order to help towards a solution of the matter and not to offer cheap gibes at •ny such effort.—l .am. etc., “INTERESTED.” Featherston, February 23.