LAND SETTLEMENT LEAGUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19857, 30 January 1928, Page 7

LAND SETTLEMENT LEAGUE.

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS. The New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League met last week. The chairman, Mr. William McArthur, presided. It was announced that at a conference with the Minister of Lands, an assurance had been received that it was the intention of the Government to proceed with the setting up of a board of inquiry into fund .settjement. problems which had been asked for as .soon as suitable commissioners could be obtained. Members expressed satifaction that the Minister now appeared to appreciate the necessity for making a definite move in the matter. Sir Andrew Russell, in a letter, suggested that in the case of land offered tinder the Homestead Act it might be desirable to advance lo .the applicant the amount required for the erection of the necessary housing- 'ibo dwellers in the town: had every facility to obtain money for this purpose. He considered that an ingoing settler should have his capital available to improve his section and thereby the country's security. Tho chairman mentioned that since last meeting he had met a visitor from India who was touring the Dominion with the idea of discovering if . New Zealand were suitable as a home for retiring Indian Army officers. Mr. F. D. Allen stated he had found gentlemen of this class farmed with great success in New Zealand. The. chairman mentioned that he would be absent from the Dominion for a period, and Mr. Ernest Yates was appointed deputy-chairman during Mr. McArthur's. absence. Mr. Yates emphasised the necessity for keeping before the Government tho importance of settling the native lands question. This was definitely delaying settlement in some areas and it was adding to the burdens of those »already on tho land.