MR BROADFOOT IS AGGRIEVED OVER THE UNITED LAND POLICY

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7169, 17 March 1930, Page 7

MR BROADFOOT IS AGGRIEVED OVER THE UNITED LAND POLICY

Will He Break Away? WANTS AUCKLAND’S ID LB LANDS EXPLOITED Per Press Association. TE KUITI, March 15.

The member for Waitomo, Mr W. J. Broadfoot, who recently left the United P*rty caucus, and stated in reply to questions, “I have nothing to discuss,” has now made a statement. Asked whether he would express an opinion in regard to the Government’s land settlement policy, especially as it concerned the Wildcn Estate lately purchased for close settlement, he 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 tho object, of furthering land settlement in New Zealand. I realise, after ten years’ study of this matter and personal observations of my own when travelling over the Auckland province, that there are hundreds of thousands of acres of idle lands that can bo 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 employs a largo 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 tho problem of unemploy-ment. It seems that this huge expenditure will provide farms for 13 men, whereas if the same amount had been utilised in tho development of Crown and Native lands it would have settled at least 60.

“Wliy Dissipate Finance?” “Finance must bo 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 tho vendor of tho Wilden Estate reinvest the purchase money in our Dominion, or has he decided to invest it in Western Australia?

“When I linked up with the United Party it was understood that tho land policy of the party was to make a thorough investigation of the idle lands and find out thoso areas that would lend themselves to close settlement. It was never intended to interfere with thoso lands that were already producing, unless it could be proved that the unoccupied lands could not bo farmed in small holdings. Having travelled over most of the Auckland province during tho 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 bo made highly productive on a sound economic basis. By bringing these lands under cultivation the cost of production: could bo 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.

Future Attitude. “To stato that I am disappointed at the land policy of the Government is putting it mildly,” continued Mr. Broadfoot. “I have endeavoured to work wholeheartedly with the United Party for the benefit of New Zealand, but if the present laud settlement policy as 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 what I consider tho only sane and logical policy of making uso 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 tho opportunity of taking up land. ” Mr Broadfoot concluded by stating that ho took up public life with the conviction that a vigorous land settlement policy was the only 'way by which this country could advance along right lines. Tho sooner the country took in hand regional land settlement schemes the better it would be for the Dominion.

“A Bitter Disappointment.” “I can only repeat that the Government's land settlement policy has been a bitter disappointment to me,” said Mr Broadfot. “I expected something much different, but I 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, thoso who will work to develop the resources of the country on sound business lines.”