BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18519, 17 March 1930, Page 8

BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT.

GOVERNMENT’S LAND POLICY. MR BROADFOOT MAKES STATEMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association. TE KUITI, March 15. The member for Waitomo, Mr W. J. Broadfoot, who recently left the United Party caucus, and who then stated in reply to questions: “I have nothing to discuss,” now makes a statement. Mr Broadfoot expressed dissatisfaction with the Government’s land policy, and said when he linked up with the United Party he understood it was to make a thorough investigation of idle lands, to find out those areas that would lend themselves to settlement. He never intended to interfere with those lands alrer 'y producing, unless it could be proved that unoccupied lands could not be farmed in small holdings. He said there were thousands of acres of idle lands in the Auckland province which could be made highly productive on a sound economic basis to the State. To say he was disappointed with the land policy of the Government was putting it mildly. Mr Broadfoot concluded, by stating that he took up public life with the idea that a land settlement policy was the only way by which this country could advance along the right lines, and the sooner the country took in hand regional land settlement schemes the better it would be for the Dominion as a whole. He could only repeat that the Government’s land settlement policy had been a bitter disappointment to him. He had expected something much different, but he feels sure that public opinion has reached a stage when it would demand and get business methods introduced into any future land settlement schemes. “In future I intend to identify myself with those who will work to develop the resources of the country on sound business lines,” he said.