SETTLING THE LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20601, 27 June 1930, Page 14

SETTLING THE LAND.

SPECIAL BOARD ADVOCATED. REMOVAL FROM POLITICS. The formation of a Land Settlement and Migration Board, removed from politics, was advocated by Mr. N. G. Gribblo, secretary of the Now Zealand Land Settlement and Development League, in an address before the Auckland branch of the Overseas Club last evening. Mr. F. E. do Guerrier presided. ■ In a brief sketch of the world situa- , tion, Mr; Gribblo said the peoples were land hungry. He quoted Lord Lovat as saying that New Zealand was backward from the land settlement point of view, and he said the national policy of putting undue burdens on the lancl was mistaken. Population and production wore the country's most valuable assets. New Zealand possessed 66,000,000 acres, of which 4,000,000 was poor land, 19,000,000 was under cultivation and 40,000,000 remained still to bo broken in. Thero wero still men in New Zealand, ho said, quoting different cases, who were anxious to settle on the land if given the chance. Mr. Gribblo contended that while tho Auckland City Council could raiso capital for non-prodnctivo schemes at 5£ per cent., land drainage boards had to pay 9 per cent, for work of vital importance to tho country. Ho strongly appealed to tho peoplo in tho main _ centres to support the formation of a Land Settlement and Migration Board, removed from political influences. The speaker was accorded a vote of thanks..