LAND POLICY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 14 April 1928, Page 8

LAND POLICY

LA HOUR'S ALMS "Tin preliminary in a -ouml immigration policy should be scientific hind ft: lenient ." slates the annual ri-pnl 1 of the Lab. ni I'arly. "Scielilllic land Setlleiue.il is essentially dependent oil permanent'\ >.f occupal ion. The (irsl essential in permanency <.!' occupation is an assured payiueui for labour and energy expended. Land occupation in New Zealand bis in. permanency. In the pasl il has paid better io sell land rather than to use it effectively. We require a rea ijustimii! < f values, so thai ii will pa\ better to use land rather than sell it. "The productive .apacily of the lands of New Zealand cannot I .<• extended beneficially to all the people unless some means are taken io stop speculation in land value-,. The charge for credit. the price of fertilisers, and the cost of marketing are all reflected ill the price of land, and while ihe pies,nt method continues the working farmers will il- - live on the margin. This policy should be accompanied by a scientific development of our manufacturing industries. We may either import goods or people. It may be that we require both, but a full ami sound inquiry should be made to determine both the type • I goods and people required. Given men and women with vision working on (be facts of ihe present situation, we believe i hat New Zealand can provide a healthy, comfortable, and reasonable standard of living for a much larger number than its present population. without in any way injuring those alreadv here.''