CAPITAL LOST TO NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 261, 31 July 1929, Page 13

CAPITAL LOST TO NEW ZEALAND

Sir,—“Perplexed,” in your issue of yesterday, draws attention to the question of settling young men on the land. He has evidently only just found out the impossibility of young men with capital being able to obtain land in this country, but there is nothing new about this phase of national development to thousands of New Zealand-born. 'ln view of the glowing colours our little country is painted in by deliberate propaganda, it is humiliating to have to admit the fact that'' there is no land for the landless New Zealand-born, to say nothing of the unfortunate who crosses the world in search of his heart's desire. Bo far there has been a good deal of gas and smoke from members of the present Government upon this vexed question, but little has been done. To “Perplexed” I would say the best answer you can give to t your other friend ■who contemplates seeking land here for his son is to be found on the same page upon which your letter appeared: It is in the form of a remit before the annual conference of the Farmers’ Union, and reads; “That the only people who have been settled on the land for many years back are returned soldiers, thus leaving thousands of others landless.; these peo-

pl* having their money tied up are awaiting their chance which never comes; therefore, it is recommended that in all future land ballots the preference clause should be eliminated so as to enable young men brought up bn farms to stand an equal chance with others.” This remit is stated by the Minister of Lands to be now udder consideration. That pronouncement coming from such a source as the Farmers’ Union, should be good enough to enable “Perplexed’s” friend to decide for himself without any difficulty.—l am, etc., “NEW ZEALAND.* Johnsonville, July 25.