NEW LAND POLICY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14353, 27 January 1911, Page 2

NEW LAND POLICY.

FOR XJ'AV SOUTH WALES. I SETTLER BEFORE SPECULATOR. I*— A^ci^n^^-Copy^ht, Mr Ne.uoi:, Hinder of Lmds, :i* ft policy speech at Yu;>-., vigoivu-ty domed That the Labour party opposed immigration, but snid that they must first prepare land for them to tetMo on. deferring to existing freeholds, he declared that no land-holder would bo dispossessed without reasonable compensation. Tho small remnants of Crown lands available would be lot out in such a way that they could not possibly be accumulated int-o large estates. Tho land would be dealt with only under a leasing system. He would study fthe land users before speculators. Railways and roads to open the land for settlement would be undertaken, at a cost approximately of £500,000. Following Canada's example, lie would make the railways preoedo settlement. He promised a Bill to consolidate the land laws and make plain those portions where conflict of opinion occurred. # The examination and classification of Crown lands would be urdertaken by a tribunal working over the whole State. The three divisional Land Boards would be abolished, and one hoard appointed to deal with settlement promotion. For resumptions the Government woukl probably have to pay £15,000,000. Iu tho Eastern and Central Divisions, there were 42,000,000 acres suitable for agriculture, unalienated. The total cow available for settlement was 10,706,000 acres. This made possible 57 agricultural farms, 940 mixed farms, and 1323 grazing farms. Within the Eastern and Central districts there were reserves containing 18,547,000 acres,, and of this 12,312,000 acres-were suitable for settlement. In the Western Division- they had 45,000,000 acres suitable for settlement iu areas under 10,000 acres under improvement conditions. In other classes of inferior land leases there were 8,199,000 acres suitable for settlement. This would not be made available until resumption was resorted.to. If necessary, preliminary work, such as clearing, would be done by the Government. Settlement would he the first consideration, and revenue from land a subsidiary factor.