SETTLERS ON THE LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20740, 6 December 1930, Page 15

SETTLERS ON THE LAND.

AUCKLAND LEAGUE SCHEME.

SUGGESTIONS FOR BOARD.

PROVISION UNDER THE ACT.

The administration of the Unemployment Act was discussed at a meeting of tho executivo of the New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League yesterday afternoon, and it was decided to forward a detailed report of tho league's suggestions to each member of tho Unemployment Board. Tho chairman, Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, said he was afraid a lot of money collected for the relief of unemployment would be spent on unproductive works and wasted. If the league's scheme were developed every man placed on the land would be productive. The countries that were suffering least to-day were those which wcro assisting settlers on the land.

The secretary, Mr. N. G. Gribble, reported that ho had received a letter from the Unemployment Commissioner, Mr. Malcolm Fraser, stating that the Unemployment Board was not yet in a position to consider the league's suggestions regarding the improvement of a substantial block of Crown land, thereby enabling settlers to bo placed on small holdings. The matter would be considered, however, when opportunity offered. Mr. Gribble said steps should bo taken to assure that the league's representations were rocognised. There was the fullest authority for the board to establish training camps for prospective farmers, finding the money by grant or loan, or both. The board could also finance experienced men to go on the land and improve it, and could assist many who had land, but who were without the essen tial finance to carry on development work. Mr. Gribble said it appeared that many of the activities suggested by the board could not be carried out until local advisory committees, which the league had advocated for so long, were wisely selected and given sufficient scope and authority "to do their jobs." It had been pointed out frequently that the actual provision of the essentials of life for those out of employment could be achieved in the country at a lower cost than in town. This was due, of course, to the fact that a great deal of essential food could be produced in the country, and the clothes worn would not be of the standard required in a city. Simple dwellings could be obtained for a fraction of the cost entailed in the city.

CHRISTCIIURC.iI INCIDENT.

MEETINGS IN THE STREET.

POLICE STOP PROCEEDINGS.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHUECH, Friday.

The Mayor of Christchurch, Rev. J. K. Archer, has received a reply to the letter he wrote to the Governor-General conveying to him tho request of the unemployed that work should bo provided for them. Lord Bledisloo expresses his sympathy with the unemployed and states that he is bringing the matter under the notice of the Minister immediately. Trouble that has been threatening for some days between a section of tho unemployed and the police showed signs of coming to a head at about noon to-day in front of the City Council Chambers and later in Cathedral Square where the men held a meeting without a permit in defiance of the by-law. The police handled the situation in such a way that hostilities were avoided. Earlier in the morning the police had refused to allow the men to hold a meeting in front of the Government Labour Bureau.

The men then adjourned to Victoria Square, and after being addressed by various speakers marched to the City Council Chambers to see the Mayor, but the Mayor was out of town. Then the police gathered round the leaders of the unemployed in the centre of the roadway. The crowd was swelled by many curious spectators and motor-cars had some difficulty in getting through. After some argument the men decided to adjourn to Cathedral Square and hold a meeting there. The police allowed the speakers to have their say, but after somo timo an inspector arrived. He apparently issued instructions for the meeting to be broken up so the speakers were gently shepherded off tho " soap box." There was no trouble.