LAND DEVELOPMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23191, 10 November 1938, Page 15

LAND DEVELOPMENT

Sir, —May I trespass upon your valuable space to urge the necessity for immediate consideration of the questions of land development and increase of population—probably any effort on mv part may be likened to a voice crying in the wilderness, but these questions are of such importance not only to the prosperity but to the actual existence of our people as part of the British nation that it seems to me to be the duty of every true-born Britisher, however humble, to urge the Government to give these questions precedence over all others. In carrying out their declared policy the present administration will be " faced with an enormous expenditure which can only be met by increased production and expanding revenue or followed by financial disaster.

As owing to wages paid and other conditions we are not able to manufacture for export, increased production and revenue can only come from the land, and if we are to secure ourselves against foreign invasion steps must be taken to obtain a sufficiently large and suitable population. It is difficult to understand why action in the above connection has not long since been taken. Obviously the first step necessary is to open up and at any rate partly cultivate our undeveloped land, etc., so that upon arrival settlers can at once qo on to their future homes, otherwise they would only add to the ranks of unemployed.

The area of fertile agricultural and pastoral land in Japan is, I understand, less than we have here.. They are, of course, also a manufacturing country, hut if they can support a population of some 70.000.000 we should be able to find profitable occupation here for 10,000.000 without reducing our present standard of living. The dangerous position that we are in is, or should be, obvious to all. We cannot expect to retain this country for our people if we will not use or populate it. As so many advantages would accrue as a result of increased population it is difficult to account for past inaction. In this district are thousands and thousands of acres which, with the use of up-to-date machinery, - can be brought into profitable use at a nominal cost when cultivated.

Those lands not only provide homes and occupation for thousands, but also show a handsome interest on money invested. As' T must not trespass further upon your valuable space T will conclude by again respectfully urging tlfe necessity for immediately dealing with the question of land development and increase of population, otherwise we must face financial disaster and the risk of our country being occupied by an alien people. Piriaka. A. W. P. Hewitt.