LAND SETTLEMENT PLAN

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1932, Page 4

LAND SETTLEMENT PLAN

ROTORUA MAYOR EXPLAINS

PRINCIPLE OF CO-OPERATION.

(PERMANENT PROSPECT OFFERED.

APPROVAL BY THE UNEMPLOYED

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Rotorua, Last Night.

The Mayor of Rotorua, Mr. T. Jackson, addressed a large meeting of unemployed and explained his co-operative land settlement scheme for married men. He said the present schemes were palliatives. What was wanted was a scheme offering permanent prospects for those engaged. Mr. Jackson proposed settlement on small areas on a communal basis, worked first on co-operative lines but designed to enable the settlers eventually to secure the title to the sections. He recognised that the cost of settlement under- the present methods was prohibitive but contended that under his scheme it could be done for £4OO per man, plus a sustenance allowance in the early stages until the sections were productive. Mr. Jackson proposed the utilisation of Crown lands or private lands taken under the Public Works Act and paid for by bonds issued similarly to rural credits. The interest would be paid by the State for the first ten years. He contended this method would provide a permanent solution of the unemployment problem for a large number of men at a minimum cost and would help the secondary industries by the economic re-establislnnent of these men.

The meeting unanimously endorsed the proposal as a means of assisting many men in the district who were anxious for a chance to get on the land.