FORMER MINISTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23175, 22 October 1938, Page 15

FORMER MINISTER

DEATH IN WAIKABAPA THE HON< A. D. ; McLEOD LONG SERVICE FOR FARMERS [nr teeecuaph—own correspondent] WELLINGTON, Friday The death has occurred of tlio Hon. A. D. McLeod, aged (3(5, at bis home in Martinborough. Mr. Mcleod, who was a well-known sheep farmer in the Wairarapa, was Minister of Lands in the Massey and Coatos Ministries. A native of Wairarapa, Mr. McLeod was born in 1572, and-was tho third son of tho lato Mr. William McLeod, one of tho early pioneers of outback settlement in tho district. After serving an apprenticeship on bis'father's farm, Mr. McLeod commenced sheepfarming on his own account. In 1806 bo was elected a member of tho Featherston Road Board, and retained oflico until his election to Parliament as member for Wairarapa in 1919. He also represented Wairarapa on tho Wellington Hospital Board for some years.

Producers' Committee Mr. McLeod was a member of the producers' committee which Sir. Massoy consulted in regard to the setting up of tho Moat Producers' Board, and ho was also a North Island delegate to tho special committee constituted to bring down preliminary legislation in connection with tho board. When tho Hon. 1"). H. Guthrie was compelled to relinquish tho portfolio of Lands in 1924 owing to illness, Sir. McLeod was called to the Cabinet in his place. In 3926 he undertook tho additional portfolio of Industries and Commerce. At the 1928 general election he was defeated by Mr. T. W. McDonald, but regained tho scat in the election of 1931.

Acting upon medical advice, Mr. McLeod did not seek re-election to Parliament in 1935. On that occasion ho said he announced his retirement with regret, but added that his health would not stand up to tha strain of public work. Land Development Mr. McLeod always identified himself with tho welfare of tho man on tho land, and upon assuming Cabinet rank carried out a careful, yet vigorously progressive, policy of land settlement.

During years of depression his aim was to keep on tho land tho settlers already there, but with the arrival of better times in 1928 fresh settlement schemes were formulated. These included a new State-assisted scheme for closer settlement of privately-owned lands, development of the clay and pumice lands, and provision of opportunities for what are known as parttimo producers. An ardent apostle of the freehold principle, Mr. McLcod did much to provide the of conversion of Crown leaseholders. It was his declared ambition to live to sco the day when all tho Crown tenants would have acquired the freehold of their holdings. Mr. McLeod was responsible also for improving the lot of the. Rangitaiki settlers and lightening the burden of the soldier settlers. Tho inauguration of the Hutt Valley settlement scheme stands also to bis credit.