SUICIDAL POLICY

Evening Star, Issue 20434, 15 March 1930, Page 14

SUICIDAL POLICY

MR BROADFOOT OK UNITED’S LAND POLICY, PURCHASE GF WILDER DEPRECATED (?K« U»ITS» Pull AISOCIATIOM.I TE KUITI, March 15. The member for Waitomo (Mr Broadfoot), who recently left the United Party caucus, and who then stated in reply to questions, “I have nothing to discuss,” now makes a statement. Asked whether he would express an opinion in regard to the Government’s land settlement policy, especially as it concerned the Wilden estate, lately purchased for close settlement, the member, after consideration, gave an affirmative answer to the pressmen, adding that he felt it his duty to do so in the public interest. Mr Broadfopt expressed extreme dissatisfaction at the policy of the Government in purchasing high-priced land that was already producing. He said; “ I took up public life with the object of furthering land settlement in New Zealand. I realise that, after ten years study of this matter, and personal observations of my own when travelling over the Auckland Province, there are hundreds of thousands of acres of idle lands that can be made highly productive. I have always taken up the attitude that to purchase high-priced lands already producing was wrong, when there are such vast areas that could be made highly productive. The Wilden estate is already producing, and employees a large number of permanent, as well as casual, workers. _ “If the same amount of money paid for this estate was used in the development of virgin country it would give a much larger increase in production, and the labour required would be a large factor in dealing with the problem of unemployment. It seems that this huge expenditure > will provide farms for thirteen men, whereas, if the same amount had been, utilised in the development of Crown and Native lands, it would have settled at least sixty. Finance must be difficult at the present time, and why dissipate it in this way. “ Will the number of new settlers on the subdivision be greater than the number now employed? Will the vendor of the Wilden estate reinvest the purchase money in our dominion, or has he decided to invest it in Western Australia?” were the questions put by Mr Broadfoot. “ When I linked up with the United Party,” ho said, “it was understood that the land policy of the party was to make a thorough investigation of idle lands, and find out those areas that would lend themselvfes to close settlement. It was never intended to interfere with those lands that were already producing, unless it could be proved that the unoccupied lands 'could not be farmed in small holdings. Having travelled over most of the Auckland Province during the last few years, I am not exaggerating when I state that there are hundreds of thousands of acres of idle lands in this part of New Zealand which can be made highly productive on a sound economic basis. By bringing these lands under cultivation the cost of production could be reduced all round, and employment found for hundreds of men. Every acre of land brought under cultivation is- an asset to the dominion as a whole. “To state that ! am disappointed at the land policy of the Government is putting it mildly,” continued Mr Broadfoot. “I have .endeavoured to work whole-heartedly with the United Party for the benefit of New Zealand, but if the present land settlement policy is continued I must pursue a line of action which I hope will help to put a stop" to_ the present suicidal policy of purchasing high-priced land, and work for what I consider the only sane , and logical policy of making use of the idle lands which are suitable for close settlement. In a primary producing country the only sound way to deal with unemployment is to develop the idle lands in small holdings, and so give men with .limited capital the opportunity of taking up land.” Mr, Broadfoot concluded by stating that he took up public life with the conviction that a vigorous land settlement policy was the only way by which this country could advance along the right lines, and the sooner the country took in hand I'egional land settlement schemes the better it would be for the* dominion as a whole. “ I can only repeat that the Government’s land settlement policy has been a bitter disappointment to me. I expected something* much different, but feel sure that public opinion has now reached a stage when it will demand, and get, business methods introduced into any future land settlement schemes. In future i intend to identify myself with those who will work to develop'the resources of the country on sound business lines.”