LABOUR AND THE LAND

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 61, 7 December 1943, Page 5

LABOUR AND THE LAND

Nationalization Advocated

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 5. In a published statement of Labour policy, the national executive of the Labour Party advocates the passing of legislation giving the State power to acquire all agricultural land and laying down a basis of compensation to owners. “We desire to emphasize that the necessity for national ownership of agricultural land is too urgent to leave to a very gradual piecemeal procedure extending over a long period of years,” says the statement. “The. acquisition should be carried out as rapidly and on as large a scale as is practically possible. ‘Pending the total acquisition of agricultural land we recommend that the following indispensable conditions should be insisted on in connexion with the ownership and use of all agricultural land : First, the character of the equipment 'of land should be prescribed by a competent, body responsible to the Minister of Agriculture. “Secondly, a national land commission should be authorized to issue development bonds at a low rate of interest jmd make loans for the purpose of assisting equipmennin approved cases. “Thirdly, if the existing owner is unable, or unwilling, to provide indispensable capital and equipment, then the national commission should purchase the land.

“Appeal courts of a suitable character should be.appointed to determine fair rente.” Other suggestions envisage the continuance of the present county executive agricultural committees, the formulation by the Minister of Agriculture of a definite home food production programme. and |he appointment by . the Minister of Agriculture of the national land commission to hold all agricultural land belonging Io the State and. to be responsible to the Minister for its administration, equipment and use.