UNITED LAND POLICY

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 March 1930, Page 7

UNITED LAND POLICY

MR BROADFOOT’S CRITICISM. 'Per Press AeBooIatlon.) TE KUITI, March 15. The member for Waitomo, Mr W. J. 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. Mr Broadfoot expressed dissatisfaction with the Government’s land policy and said that when he linked up with the United Party he understood it was to make a thorough investigation of idle lands and find out those areas that would lend themselves to settlement. It was never intended to interfere with those lands already producing, unless it could be proved that unoccupied lands could not be farmed in small holdings. He said there were thousands of acres of idle lands in the Auckland province which could be made highly productive, on a sound economic basis, to the State. He was disappointed with the land policy of the Government; that was putting it mildly. Mr Broadfoot concluded by stating that he took up public life with the idea that a vigorous land settlement policy was the only w’ay by which this country could advance along the right lines, and the sooner the country took in hand regional land settlement schemes the better it would be for the Dominion as a whole. He could only repeat that the Government’s land settlement policy had been a bitter disappointment to him. He expected something much different, but felt sure that public opinion had reached a stage when it would 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,” he said.