POLICY BEFORE PARTY

Waipa Post, Volume 40, Issue 3126, 15 March 1930, Page 5

POLICY BEFORE PARTY

MR BROADFOOT AND LAND SETTLEMENT. •*%ILL BREAK FROM THE UNITED PARTY. OPPOSED TO PRESENT METHODS OF LAND SETTLEMENT The member for Waitomo, Mr W. J. Broadfoot, retired from the last meeting of the United Party , a fortnight ago and much speculation has prevailed * in the electorate as to the reason of his retirement. It now transpires that he has consistently urged the Government to give effect to its pre-election promises for the settlement of the sparsely occupied or idle lands of the Dominion. He trenchantly criticises the purchase by the State of the Wilden Estate in Central Otago, holding that this purchase was contrary to the Government’s expressed policy. Mr Broadfoot now makes public his attitude. Evidently his appeals to the Government for settlement of the unoccupied areas on an economic basis have been unheeded. Mr Broadfoot summarises his attitude when he says: “ I have consistently opposed the purchase of highly developed farm lands for settlement purposes and must disassociate .myself from the people who persist in such a policy.”

Interviewed by a Waipa Post representative yesterday Mr Broadfoot said: Ever since I stepped into public life I have opposed the purchase by the Government of high-priced, fullydeveloped farming lands. So when I find , the Government persisting in the purchase of such a property in the Otago province as the Wilden Estate, and delaying or ignoring the opportunities for settling such vast areas of unoccupied or sparsely-set-tled land as is found in the South Auckland area I raise my objection. The financial situation at present is admittedly difficult and the locking up of £IOO,OOO of Government mortgages in providing sections for 13 settlers only is unwarranted and unsound. The same amount of money utilized in the development of virgin land would have enabled at least 50 settlers to have been established on a sound basis. Settlement on the Wilden basis is dissipating and certainly is not conserving public moneys. We are seeking to get the maximum of production for the. money expended; in settlement. The increase in production from 50 new farms would be infinitely greater than the moderate increase which may occur from the breaking up of Wilden. The idle Crown and Native lands to-dav_ are a great detriment to the present settlers in the developing districts. Settlement is scattered. Rates are lost, schooling is made difficult, noxious weeds are encouraged, medical facilities are lacking, electricity is either non-obtainable or too dear. Tn fact the conveniences and amenities of civilisation are in the main missing. ' The Wilden type of settlement will not eliminate unemployment, it will intensify it. Room is being made for 13 settlers, but how many men will be dispensed with ? The gam, .. if any, will be negligible. # All through the Auckland province there are hundreds of thousands of ‘acres of idle Crown and Native lands blocking progress. These idle lands are worth bringing in and their development can be on an economic basis^pr

Many of these areas are already served with railways, roads and other public utilities. Why not use these to their full extent and help lower the cost of production all round. The platform of the United party expressly stipulated that the further settlement methods would be modernised. That promise has been either, forgotten or disregarded. It is distressing to see settlement operations being stultified by highpriced purchases, but this wrongful method will bring its early “ reward ” to those responsible. I wonder if the vendor of Wilden will use the purchase money in developing New Zealand, or will he use it in Western Australia. Rumour hath is that the latter country will benefit to our disadvantage. I have consistently opposed the purchase of highly-developed farm lands for settlement purposes, and must disassociate myself from, the people who persist in such a policy. In future I will associate myself with those who will develop the land and other natural resources of the Dominion on a businesslike basis. WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING. THE WILDEN POLICY. The Wilden Estate .comprises an area of 24,005 acres. It is located in Central Otago, due west from Dunedin. . ... , „ It is divided into 13 holdings, two of which have been allotted leaving eleven to be offered for ballot. The allotted sections are: 291 6 acres, canital value £15.080 with a further £2,200 for buildings; and 3140 acres, capital value ±»ybu. The sections for ballot vary in area from 563 acres to 4236 acres with a canital value ranging from £SBOO to The capital valuations on the block, with loadings for improvements, is £100.671, which gives an averag valuation on each section of without any provision by way of financial assistance to the s ®* tler UF the purchase of stock or other capital needed in the development of the land when under closer settlement.