LAND SETTLEMENT

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 5, 21 December 1928, Page 8

LAND SETTLEMENT

VIGOROUS POLICY.

MINISTER'S INTENTIONS. Press Association—-Copyright, WELLINGTON, This Day. The Minister of Lands Hon. G. Forbes in an interview to-day said that in line with the vigorous policy lin connection with th e , railways and State Advances was the prompt acceleration of land settlement. His intention was, when the holidays were over, to convene a confer- ■ ence of Commissioners of Crown Lands and discuss with the : the 1

most effective mo>ns of bringing about the settlement of available lands of the' Crown.

The question of abandfoned farms • -would be thoroughly gone into, and wherever necessary, the values would be readjusted to make them attractive propositions. The possibility of developing pumice lands would be examined witli a view to profitable settlement. He intended Jfco discuss: the problems on the spot and arrange

lif possible, for the; necessary development work t 0 be commenced promptly. Tliis should enable employment

to. be found/ for a considerable number of men. and help, to relieve the unemployment difficulty. In regard, to the purchase of improved land for closer settlement, lie wa s instructing his officers through-j ! out the Dominion to furnish a report as to suitable land available. On receipt of the information measures would be taken to acquire areas inf various parts of the: Dominion to suit' the demand ifor latnd of that dies-; cription. j