“L.S.D.” BUSY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 50, 21 May 1927, Page 15

“L.S.D.” BUSY

WELFARE OF PRODUCERS PESSIMISM DEPRECATED SUGGESTED INQUIRY BOARD r newly-formed Land Settlement and Development League, popularly known as the “L.5.D.,” gave the Prime Minister an intimation of its existence this morning, when a deputation interviewed him, suggesting that a Board of Inquiry to investigate land settlement problems, be formed. Mr. W. W. Massey, president of the League, who introduced the deputation. said the league was not a political organisation, and it was not its aim to embarrass the Government. Mr. W. J. Holdsworth said the League was convinced that the country must not go back to pre-war conditions. They believed it was possible to place the primary industries on a footing that would enable them to compete on overseas markets. They believed that the establishment of a Board of Inquiry would help to increase and enlarge the returns from primary produce. It was unfortunate that the newspapers had been giving prominence to reports of farmers’ walking off their lands.

Mr. M. G. McArthur, supporting Mr. Holdsworth. said a Board of Inquiry \Vould be able to do very good work. Referring to the Canadian system of bringing farmers into the country 4ie said New Zealand might profitably adopt some of Canada’s principles. He made the suggestion that mortgagees should be approached so that they could get a reduction in the capital invested in manvAfarms. Mr. Coates: The moment you legislate to violate a contract, no matter what the results may be. you are getting into danger. I have no intention of getting into that position. Mr. McArthur: We know it could not be made compulsory, but I am certain it could be accomplished in a lot. of cases, if mortgagees were offered bonds in return for a reduction of the the mortgages. FARM ACCOUNTS SOUND Mr. Coates pointed out that 80 or 90 per cent, of farmers’ accounts at. banks throughout the country were perfectly sound. That showed the true position of the great proportion of settlers. Even in the best of times a certain number of accounts wer msound. Mr. Albert Spencer suggested that in slack seasons farmers be put on to road work. Mr. Coates said he had discussed with Mr. McLeod, Minister of Lands, suggestions on the lines laid down by the deputation. A commission of investigation might be able to get much useful information about the unoccupied pumice and clay lands of the North Island. He would have to discuss it further with Mr. McLeou, who would welcome any scheme to bring in the co-operation of men interested in land settlement. A board of the kind, suggested could cover finance, and other points. The present Science and Research Board was purely a body of co-operation, but they did not have the funds to set ont on an -uncontrolled scheme of scientific investigation.

The Prime Minister concluded by assuring the deputation that he was keenly interested in the representations they had made, and would consult with Mr. McLeod as soon as he returned from Australia.