SETTLEMENT OF LAND

Taranaki Daily News, 14 October 1930, Page 9

SETTLEMENT OF LAND

PROBLEM OF POOR QUALITY

CHANCE FOR NEW INDUSTRIES.

GOVERNMENT POLICY CRITICISED.

By Telegraph.—-Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Moving the second reading of the Land Laws Amendment Bill in tho House of Representatives to-night, the HOh. E. A. Ransom said it was recognised that it was desirable to have as many industries as possible and the clause permitting the disposal of inferior Crown lands for the purpose of development was intended to encourage -the growing of the Tung oil plant, also the Irish flax plant. From the latter it was hoped a linen industry would be the outcome. Lord Craigavon oil his recent visit to the Dominion had remarked On the suitability of the conditions for this purpose. Mr. A. Hamilton said third-class laud •was the problem of New Zealand today. If the Government wanted this land to lie developed it would have to see that tho occupants were able to secure a return of 6 per cent, on their investments and 14s per day. At the present time the standard of costs in the Dominion was higher than thirdclass land could stand. He did not think it was altogether wise that the Bill should give the Minister and the Land Development Board power to dispose of 50.000 acres of third-class land without further reference to Parliament. Certainly the Bill provided that the land should not be suitable for settlement, but he questioned whether any Minister or any expert would be able to say that some areas would not at some future date be suitable for settlement. ,

..MATTER OF ADMINISTRATION. Mr. M. J. Savage said he agred with Mr. Hamilton that more than legislation was necessary for the development of the land. He quoted from the Land. Amendment Acts extending over several years and stated that most of the provisions contained in the present Bill wCi‘b already covered in. the existing legislation. The main exception was the clause in the present Bill providing for.tlie.-disposal of inferior land. It seemed that so many boards had been created from time to time that every • second man. one met in the street must . be a member either of a land board or df an advisory committee. He complained that practically nothing had bben done under the earlier. Acta, and he feared the same position was again arising. When the people asked for relief they were simply , given an amendment to an Act., It was no use making laws unless they were properly administered. It -would be better if the Crown went in for improving the land and giving the settlers a Chance to make a living on it. Mr. T. W. McDonald said that insofar as the Bill improved the previous laws it was of great importance. He agreed, however, that the problem to-day Was o£e of administration rather than of legislation. ■ Mr. T. W. McDonald demanded q Vigorbus policy of land settlement -without delay. He said he would not tolerate any Government that would not stimulate closer settlement, but he believed the present Government would do that. He did not profess to dictate to the Government, but he would stand delay no longer without letting his constituents know that he Was doing hie best to carry out the promises of 1928. -If these were not carried out he would resign or take other steps necessary.

. Mr. W. D. Lysnar expressed the opinion that thfe' land boards were doing good work. The reclassification of land Was urgently needed. Mr. F. Langstone said he did not hold out much hope that Irish flax would be grown successfully in New Zealand. He Was afraid that instead of creating a new industry a hunting ground would be provided for company promoters. Further, if experiments were to be made the Agriculture Department was in a better position than anyone else to undertake them. Mr. Hi G. Dickie argued that there was no land hunger in New Zealand at present, except among those With /little experience or capital. The debate on the second reading of the Bill -Was interrupted by the rising Of the HoUse at midnight till 2.30 to-morrow.