LAND TO BE PROVIDED FOR SETTLEMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18643, 21 December 1928, Page 9

LAND TO BE PROVIDED FOR SETTLEMENT.

VIGOROUS POLICY BY THE GOVERNMENT. MINISTER TO CONSULT THE COMMISSIONERS. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, December 21. In line with the vigorous policy in connection with the railways and State Advances, a prompt acceleration of land settlement was indicated by the Hon G. W. Forbes, Minister of Lands, when questioned to-dav. “My intention,” replied the Minister, “is, when the holiday season ia over, to convene a conference of the Commissioners of Crown Lands of all the land districts in the Dominion, and to discuss with them the most effective means of bringing about the settlement of the available lands in the hands of the Crown. “The question of the abandoned farms, of which there are a considerable number on the books of the Department, will be thoroughly gone into. Wherever necessary, the values will be readjusted so as to make them attractive propositions to those seeking farming lands. “The possibility of developing the pumice lands and the undeveloped areas in various parts of the Dominion will be examined with a view to putting in hand schemes for their profitable settlement. In connection with this, I intend, during the next few months, to examine these areas and discuss the problems on the spot, and to arrange, if possible, for the necessary developmental work to be commenced promptly. This should enable employment to be found for a considerable number of men. and, in some measure, help to relieve the unemployment difficulty.” Asked regarding the possibility of the purchase of improved land for closer settlement, the Minister stated: "I am instructing my officers throughout the Dominion to furnish a report as to suitable land available, and, on receipt of that information, measures will be taken to acquire areas in various parts of the Dominion to suit the demand for land of that description. “Thus, I hope by the time that Parliament meets to be able to show some improvement in the position of land settlement in the Dominion.”