"STRATFORD EVENING POST" MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1929. A TANGIBLE LAND POLICY

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 15, 7 October 1929, Page 4

"STRATFORD EVENING POST" MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1929. A TANGIBLE LAND POLICY

TWO hundred applicafions were m-ened lor'six sections in a Hawke s Bay subdivision, and we have no doubt that there ™ be a similar rush for the other sections that will he otfert a soon under the' closer settlement scheme. The number of applicants is the strongest possible evidence of the timeliness and wisdom of the Government's fight against land'aggregation in the interests of the landless farmer and his sons. The men balloting for sections are nof inexperienced nieu, or young trainees under the Flock House or otbci schemes. They are Hew Zealanders. who have been denied the opportunity under the lieform regime to acquire farms of their own under any conditions. They are the men for whom the United Party drafted the first plank of its platform:— The adoption of a system of land settlement which would prevent the drift to towns, increase the number of primary producers and stimulate a great diver- * sity and increase in the products of the soil. The Government is determined to fulfil this election pledge, which incidentally provides the real solution of the unemployed problem, for which the Reform Press is expressing such solicitude just now- The Land Bill now before the House provides a yearly allocation of £5,000,000 for the purchase and development of land, without any limit to the amount that may be spent in one year, and the very fair reception of the Bill, to, which Mr Forbes referred appreciatively last week, as an indication that the InberaJ Party is in an unchallengeable position regarding this great and necessary reform.