LAND SETTLEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20384, 12 October 1929, Page 12

LAND SETTLEMENT.

THE LEAGUE'S PROPOSALS.

SOLVING UNEMPLOYMENT.

A resolution urging that tho fourth member of tho proposed Lands Development Bofird should have intimate knowledge of the possibilities arid requirements of those pq,rls of the North Island where lie the largest a'reas of undeveloped State land was passed at a meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League yesterday. Mr. N. G. Gribble, secretary of the league, said that the principle of assisting men of small means up to tho point where their holdings could be reproductive was a step in the right direction, and they should accept with thankfulness a definite advance even if not quite in tho direction advocated by the leaguo. The object of the leaguo was to try to get tho most good for the country out of any legal provision made. The simplest :solution of unemployment appeared to be tho development of natural resources and encouragement of semi-primary industries as . a natural consequence. The league therefore emphasised tho importance of production from tho soil in every shape and form.

Mr; Gribblo said that ho had been approached by various Thames and Coromandel people who wero desirous of, forming branches of tho league in their districts in order to givo publicity to tho possibilities of the State lands in their counties. It was decided to assure, them of the assistance and sympathetic interest of tho Auckland executive. : ,

Surprise was expressed by Mr." Wr J. Holdsworth, chairman, that the Government had not availed itself of tlje offer of the British Government to grant annual sums for settlement purposes. Upon a suggestion that tho Home authorities should be written to, members thought that such a step was inadvisable. Mr. Holdsworth said that the matter had riot been overlooked, for tho leaguo, since its very inception, had emphasised tho need of 'assistance in immigration and settlement.