Co-operative Land Settlement Scheme

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6833, 14 April 1932, Page 6

Co-operative Land Settlement Scheme

SOLUTION FOR UNEMPLOYMENT. MAYOR OF ROTORUA'S INTERESTING PROPOSAL. Per Press Association. ROTORUA, Last Night. The Mayor of Rotorua, Mr. T. Jackson, addressed a large meeting of unemployed and explained his co-opera-tive land settlement scheme for married men. He said the present schemes were only palliative. What was wanted was a scheme offering permanent prospects for the future to those engaged. The proposed settlement, on small areas on a communal basis would be worked first on co-operative Info's, but was designed to enable settlers eventually to secure the titles to the sections. It was recognised that the cost ot settlement under present methods was prohibitive, but he contended that under his scheme it could be done for £4OO per man plus sustenance allowance in the early stages until the 'sections were productive. He proposed the utilisation of Crown lands or private lands taken under the Public Works Act and paid for in bonds issued similarly to the rural credits. The interest would be paid by tho State for the first few years. He contended that, this method would provide a permanent solution for unemployment for a large number of men at a. minimum cost and would also help the secondary industries by the economic re-establishment cf these men. The meeting unanimously endorsed the proposal as a means of assisting many men in this district who were anxious for a chance to get on the land