LAND SETTLEMENT

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 159, 2 April 1937, Page 6

LAND SETTLEMENT

Labour Party’s Views

CONFERENCE CONCLUDES

Caution in flic development ot laud settlement schemes was advocated by the conference of the New Zealand Labour Barty, which concluded in Wcl-

mgton hist night. The conference all rmed its confidence in flic Govern

nient's policy regarding land tenure, directed toward full utilisation of land with regard to prevailing conditions. On the question of laud settlement, the view of Hie conference was expressed in the following terms: — "That in view of the conditions ot foreign trade, land settlement schemes should be approached cautiously ami should be carried out as our export markets expand, ami should have regard to the economic area suitable for the class of farming undertaken; in oilier words, to classification of laud, climatic conditions, distance from market, and the social and economic facilities available.” The conference carried a recommendation that the Government be asked to investigate the matter, having. regard to the above-mentioned conditions. Small Farm Schemes. With respect to co-operative ami collective farming, and also to small farms schemes, the conference decided that it could' with the utmost confidence leave the mutter in the hands of the Government. While recognising that bovine tuberculosis was low in its incidence in New Zealand in comparison wth other countries, I lie conference recoin mended tlie Government to institute a scheme for the eradication of tuberculosis in dairy herds. A remit to the effect that tlie Government be recommended to abolish the right of inheritance was withdrawn by the unanimous consent of the conference. Conference Concludes. The conference concluded at 11.30 p.m. with votes of thanks to the committees, the national president, Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P., the national secretary, Mr. D. Wilson, and the national executive.

The following vote of confidence in the Acting-Prime Minister, Hon. P. Fraser, and the Government, was carried; “That this conference congratulates the Hon. I*. Fraser on his appointment as Acting-Prime Minister, and assures him and the Government of the same loyal support and confidence that the party has always reposed in the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage.” ' Tlie conference adopted a remit deploring foreign intervention in the Spanish civil war, and urging the New Zealand Government to press the Imperial Government to ensure the withdrawal of all foreign troops and the leaving of the Spanish people to settle their own domestic difficulties.

Tlie view of the party on the loyalty to the Government of the Public Service is expressed in the following statement:—

“The conference was confronted with conflicting viewpoints on this question, as Ministers have paid tribute to the honest and impartial manner in which heads of departments and other public servants have co-operated with the Government in the discharge of their duties. We are aware'that some branches have expressed dissatisfaction with the position in their local districts with reference to certain individual officers, but we arte convinced that the overwhelming majority of public servants are loyal to their duty to the Government. However, we suggest that in cases where branches have complaints to make in this connection, they submit specific cases to the. Government for investigation.” ,