NOT SUPPORTED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3156, 12 August 1942, Page 5

NOT SUPPORTED

FARMERS’ UNION REMIT SPECULATION IN LAND PROS AND CONS OF THE MATTER “That the Government should take steps to prevent the aggregation of land in the hands, of single individuals for speculative purposes through the purchase of small and mediumsized farms this being detrimental to the nation’s interests,” was a remit considered at Tuesday’s meeting of the Northern Thames Sub-Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union held in Paeroa on Tuesday.

Mr W. Smith (Puriri) opposed the resolution. He pointed out that in his case he had gone back into the bush and gradually had to buy neighbouring farms to prevent the spread of noxious weeds.

Several othei* speakers opposed the resolution on the same grounds. The chairman, Mr iS. E. Hall (Matatoki), explained that the resolution had been framed to prevent speculators buying up land for re-sale to the Government after the war for the settlement of soldiers.

Mr R. E. Tye (Turua), supported the remit. He said no person who proposed to work the land should be handicapped in any way. However, he pointed out that the future of the industry lies in the small farmer. After the war there would be many men to be settled on land and such a policy should not be handicapped because of land speculators. The remit was not approved.