LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 2670, 22 December 1928, Page 5

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT.

GOVERNMENT'S POLICY. CONFERENCE OF LAND COMMISSIONERS. In line with a vigorous policy in connection with Railways and State Advances, a prompt acceleration of land settlement was indicated by the Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Lands and of Agriculture, when questioned yesterday at Wellington. "My intention," said the Minister, "is, when the holiday season is over, to convene a conference of Commissioners of Grown Lands of all land districts in the Dominion, and to discuss with them the most effective means of bringing about the settlement of available lands in the hands of the Crown.

"The question of abandoned farms, of which there are a considerable number on the books of the Department, will be thoroughly gone into. Wherever necessary, values will be readjusted so as to make them attractive propositions to those seeking farming lands.

"The possibility of developing pumice lands and undeveloped areas in various parts of the Dominion will be examined, with a view to putting in hand schemes for their profitable settlement. In connection with this I intend during the next few months to examine these areas, discuss problems on "the spot, and to arrange, if possible, for necessary developmental work to be commenced promptly. This should enable employment to be found for a considerable number of men, and in some measure help to relieve the unemployment difficulty." Asked regarding the possibility of purchase of improved land for closer settlement, the Minister stated: "I am instructing my officers throughout tho Dominion to furnish a report as to suitable land available, and, on receipt of that information, measures will be taken to acquire areas in various parts of the Dominion to suit the demand for land of that description. Thus I hope, by the time Parliament meets, we will be able to show some improvement in the position of land settlement in the Dominion."