“DETERMINED TO PROCEED WITH LAND DEVELOPMENT"

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19201, 15 October 1930, Page 5

“DETERMINED TO PROCEED WITH LAND DEVELOPMENT "

If Results Are Not Forthcoming Cabinet May Take Drastic Action. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, October 15. “ I am looking for results and if these are not forthcoming promptly, I shall take into serious consideration the necessity of changing the personnel of the Land Development 13oard or of ollicers of the Lands Department if necessary.” (Hear, hear.)

A DETERMINATION to pursue a vigorous policy of land settlement in New Zealand, even if it involved changes in the personnel of the Lands Development Board and the Depaitment was cxprcsscxl bv the acling-Prime Minister (the Hon E. A.’Ransom) in the i louse this morning, when replying to a lengthy discussion on the Land Laws Amendment Bill.

Mr Coates, Leader of the Opposition, inquired why the Government desired legislative authority to allow of blocks up to 50.000 acres being taken up. It might be desirable to allow private companies to drain large areas for, subdivision, but the Government should make sure that settlers were properly established before the company’s responsibility ceased. lie thought Parliamentary authority should be obtained when large areas were to be disposed of. It would be better to cut down railways construction and transfer the money to land developMr Holland, leader of the Labour Party, said the position in regard to land aggregation was already sufficiently serious without making any change such as that proposed in the Bill, which would enable up to fifty thousand acres to be disposed of to one indi\ idual or company. Ii the Government would set out to break in the immense area of undeveloped land in this country, using under the direction of the officers of the Department of Agriculture and other departments, men who are out of work, it would be taking a comprehensive step for“To Proceed Vigorously.” “There have been some references in the debate to the authority for £5.000.000 in last year’s Act for land development,” said Mr Ransom, replying. “The whole of that sum was not raised, but only what was ncccssar; - for the year’s operations was appro-, priated. A good d done, but it is my wish, as it is tinwish of every Member. that more 1

should be achieved. The Government is determined to proceed vigorously with its land development policy. 1$ has taken us some time to set up the necessary machinery, but that is now in working order and various reports I have called for have been investigate

“I am determined to have results. The machinery is available and the time is fast slipping by, and no further delay can take place regarding land development.” (Hear, hear.) Progress Made. The Minister said he agreed that progress had not been as great as it might have been, but at the same time considerable progress had been made under United administration. In support of this contention, the Minister referred to the selection of ordinary Crown lands for the year ended March 31 last. Under this heading there had been 2001 subdivisions, the total area involved being 402,000 acres. Since the Government came into power, 31 ordinary estates of a total acreage of 37,088 had been purchased at a cost of £547,390. Under group settlement, there had been 14 purchases representing 9020 acres at a cost of £147,350. Loans had beer granted to 108 individuals under tht lands development scheme, the amoun being £43,987. In the development < Crown lands, the Agricultural D< partment had spent £34.380 and thei was autJioritv for a further £10.705. T 1 total expenditure, therefore, was £7S3 872. The figures given were up-tu-dat and the total number of settlers at sorbed was 220 at an average cost ot £3IOO.

EE S E ffi EiSSE E2L E iii i-. ±1 !±:JL Ji. the current year to provide for the increased expenditure that would be involved. It was understood that boards would, in cases where the attendance rolls were declining, make extra provision out of the vote lor the inci dental expenses of the schools concerned. The Prime Minister had given full consideration to the matter and regretted that, during the c\: c -*i r '.• financial conditions. n<> t:! :i r : capitation grants could be e< 1 :: • d rit the present time.