THE WASTE PLACES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15001, 24 May 1912, Page 8

THE WASTE PLACES.

■'■'.■- ~-r~ .♦ ~■„ ~r-r; ; *--'/.' H' : ■•', FARMERS URGE OCCUPATION ' THE LOCKED-UP LANDS. Enebgexic endeavour towards the more effective settlement of the country was strongly urged by many speakers at the Farmers' Union Conference ; yesterday, : The following remit was discussed and adopted;—" That : this union urges the Government to adopt a.vigorous land settlement policy, so that any suitable land, ; wholly or partially unused or unoccupied, whether held by the natives, by the Crown, or by private individuals, may be made available under the optional sys- ! tem for close settlement in sufficient areas to meet the requirements of all genuine I settlers." ] Mr. A. Ross * (Waerenga) said that the i remit was the most important one on the ! order paper, "Occupy the waste places," was his advice. .That would bring about a better condition of things in the country. In Denmark they had I the farms held in small areas, and farmers' interests were paramount. In Australia the land was held in large areas and the towns ruled; there was also | a Labour Government. Those were the two positions. New Zealand was a country for the small farmer, and it should be effectively settled, or they would ! always have the menace of the Far East I hanging over them. In the Dominion they had fewer disadvantages for the 1 farmer than in any other country; yet farmers wore not being induced to come out and settle. What was the reason? They had only to look at the reports of land ballots. The land was not i available. Large areas were held by the Maoris, locked-up and uncultivated, and white owners held many acres for speculative purposes. It was a big question, but it was a simple One. There was the land and the people were waiting to go on it:' .'■'■''■ ' '.'"'. ( : "This is the crux of the whole business," said Mr. Jno. Borrie (Waihou). " Take two or three days to deal with tins question, and you will do some. good. There will be no need to touch anything else." i Several speakers urged that 1 it was genuine landless settlers that should be encouraged. They did not think that men with large areas should be able to acquire more. Mr. Jno. Ambury (Rapu) pointed out that genuine settlers with a limited area were the men whose interests should toe looked after. Some men without land who were always talking about tenures would not work on it if they were dragged on by a bullock-team.