LAND SETTLEMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 17 November 1926, Page 6

LAND SETTLEMENT

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE AT AUCKLAND REASONS iFfljft itfNiPßOlFiliifcte OCCUR A'l'iON BOARD OF INQUIRY SUGGESTED (United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day. An important conference on land sot - (lenient was bold last night, Sir Andrew Russell presiding. The Minister of Lands, the Minister of Agriculture, and the Minister of Health were present, also Sir James Allen and Air'll. Thompson, Unddr-Sec-retriry for , Lands, and Dr. Realms, Di-rector-General of Agriculture, and numerous farmers. There were thirty or forty speeches. Tiie following resolution was carried—- “ That (his meeting considers a board of inquiry with power to call evidence should be set up forthwith to ascertain the conditions that are preventing profitable occupation of land already in occupation and retarding the settlement of the undeveloped lands of New Zealand, with a view to their removal.”

A good deal of discussion took place regarding tlie course of action, a proposal to set up a Dominion committeo being eventually dropped on the ground of expense. It was then proposed that the Government’s attention be directed to the pro blems of land settlement, the financial burdens of the'farmer, and that, the Farmers’.Union and Royal Agricultural Society be asked to take charge of tlie matter.

The lion. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands, said the Government would welcome an inquiry into land settlement, but it could not have a large and expensive committee travelling about the country.