LAND SETTLEMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23010, 11 April 1938, Page 15

LAND SETTLEMENT

PROGRESS IN WAIKATO SOCIETY'S WORK REVIEWED OBJECTIVE PARTLY REACHED [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Sunday The decision' of the Waikato Land Settlement Society to transfer its assets and scheme to the Government was referred to by Mr. D. V. Bryant, chairman of directors, honorary manager, and founder of the society, when interviewed before his departure for England. Mr. Bryant said ho was delighted to know that the society's work was to bo continued on the same lines on which it had been begun and that the Government was to regard it as a national experiment in land settlement. "Without intruding 011 any political issue, I am fully convinced that nothing is further from the Government's mind than any intention to nationalise the farming lands of New Zealand," said Mr. Bryant. "The Government, I am sure, is desirous of adopting tho best land tenure and policy it is possible to evolve." Unemployment Relieved Mr. Bryant said that tho Waikato Society's scheme was launched five years ago as a means of solving the unemployment problem at a time of grave national economic crisis. Jt was a great source of satisfaction to him personally, to the trustees, and to the subscribers of the nucleus fund, that as a result of the society's venture a great deal was done in the Waikato to alleviate the unemployment position that existed at the time.

Apart from prospective tenants who were employed, many casual workers were engaged on development work on the society's settlements, while many

other men were employed on road construction, buildings, and other work in connection with the properties, continued Mr. Bryant. The society controlled 7622 acres at W'hatawhata, Roto-o-rangi, and Wharepapa, and during tho 4i years it had been in operation. it had found employment, directly and indirectly, for several hundred men. There were now 13 men in possession of their own holdings, while other prospective tenants were still employed 011 a communal system in improving unallotted areas. When the blocks were fully developed, it was expected that 70 settlers and their families would find permanent homes and a means of livelihood on tho existing areas. Sections Allotted Mr. Bryant added that one of the main objectives of the society was reached at the beginning of the last dairying season, when a number of sections were allotted to individual settlers 011 terms that would enable them to become the owners ol: the freehold at the end of a period of years. It was expected that another 19 sections would be alienated at the commencement of the next dairying season.

"When I return to New Zealand I intend to do everything possible to promote land settlement in my capacity as an honorary adviser to the Government," concluded Mr. Bryant.