HUTT VALLEY SCHEME

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12507, 24 July 1926, Page 4

HUTT VALLEY SCHEME

PRICES OF SECTIONS PEAR ONES AND CHEAP ONES MINISTER EXPLAINS A question asked by Mr Fraser in the House yesterday respecting the Hutt Valley Settlement scheme drew from the Minister for Lands an interesting answer. Mr Fraser said that he would like some information as to the method of disposing of the sections, and he asked if the Minister could give a good reason for the fixing of prices. When this scheme was before the House last session it was said that the scheme was primarily concerned with the settlement of people of limited means, particularly workers on the land. Was it likely that the workers would be able to give the prices which would be asked for these sections which were to be auctioned ? Were the upset prices given on the plan framed with the object of enabling workers to purchase a section? They ranged up to £I2OO a section. Was that in accord with the spirit of the legislation passed? The Hon. Mr McLeod said he thought he explained when the legislation was first introduced that it would be a mistake to sell the whole of this land at a low price. Some of the sections were particularly well situated and aTmtted on to the residential portion of Lower Hutt, and if it were not possible for the Government to receive the best possible price for these sections it would not be possible to sell the others at a reasonable price. When land was bought at £250 jrer acre and quite as much had to be added for water and other services, high prices must be obtained for some of the sections in order that the others could be sold cheap. Tho policy of the Government would he to sell some at a high price by auction, and set the others aside for workers.