ECONOMIC CRISIS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 119, 22 May 1931, Page 11

ECONOMIC CRISIS

PUTTINa HOUSE IN ORDER

TASK FOR NO SINGLE PARTY

(By Tclegvapli.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, 21st May. Speaking at Papatoetoe this evening, thy Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) said that tho economic crisis facing the Dominion was of such character that the Prime Minister believed tliafc no single party should be asked to feear alono the ■ task of putting the country's houso in order. The proposal for a national party was the result. Ecplying^to Mr. W. W. Masscy, the Koforrn Candida to in the by-election, Mr. Bansom said it was impossible to balance the Budget without further taxation. Criticism had" been levelled concerning expenditure on roads, but no curtailment of expenditure had taken place. Mr. Bansom said he believed that in the past there had beon expenditure fcf a luxurious character upon highways. If the highways funds had been used more for backblocks roads than for roads which, ran parallel to railways, the country would havo been in a more prosperous condition. The United Government had pursued an activo land settlement policy in spite of the denials of its opponents. It had urchased 52 properties, totalling 110,000 acres, at a cost of £847,000. These would make 350 holdings. Wonderful work also was being done in the- settlement of idle Crown lands. The total area in hand was 135,000 acres. Yet they wero charged with having no land policy.

Mr. Ransom gave details .of blocks being opened for settlement, and said that tho Government intended not only to place men on the. land but also to stock their holdings with good cattle; If men were started right they would finish right. ■