LAND SETTLEMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17076, 13 April 1927, Page 7

LAND SETTLEMENT

a MOMENTOUS CONFERENCE.

OPENED AT AUCKLAND.

VIEWS OF MINSTER,

(By Telegraph.—Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Wednesday.

What Sir Andrew Russell, chairman, describes as the most momentous conference on land matters ever held in this Dominion opened in the Town Hall this morning'. The conference was convened by the x\uckland A. and P. Association. Delegates from all parts of the Dominion are expected during the day. The proceedings will adjourn this afternoon and will resume to-night. Since the initial conference in Royal Show week correspondence has taken place with the Minister of Lands, w r ith the object of inducing him to set up a commission to investigate the problem, in the hope that thorough investigation would result in a report being brought flown which would be of assistance to the Government in formulating some land settlement scheme on a sound, practical basis. The success with which schemes of a similar nature have been instituted in other countries, notably by the Canadian Pacific Railway in Canada, gives rise to "the hope that a policy formulated on sound lines, after full investigation had been made, would be for the benefit of the country and all concerned. It is proposed to submit certain resolutions at the meeting for consideration, and if they are adopted, the meeting will appoint a committee to float a league and frame a constitution. Stress is laid upon the fact that politically it is to be an entirely nonparty organisation. In his last letter to the committee, the lion. A. D. McLeod said: —“A large number of those closely associated with the New Zealand. Farmers’ Union have been consulted, and the consensus of opinion is that unless the services of proved economists of wide experience, '‘capable of interrogating witnesses and of correctly weighing evidence, can be procured to investigate thoroughly the economic position existing between the primary producers on the one hand, and all other sections of the community on the other, the setting up of a board of enquiry might easily be productive of more harm than good. There are experts in plenty in their own line of business, but the possibility of bias (unconscious or otherwise) makes their services of little or no value. However, I am making enquiries with a view to selecting three suitable men, and should your committee have a knowledge of any gentleman with the necessary qualifications 1 shall be glad to receive their services before bringing the matter again before Cabinet.”

Objects of the League. Sir Andrew Russell read a telegram received this morning from Mr McLeod. He said the difficulty of setting up a board was emphasised by the ignorance of what particular phases of the rural problem it desired to investigate. It was desired to know why so many of those already on the land were in difficulties, why so few with capital desired to take up land, and why land development is not attracting capital. Then it was more essential than ever that the board must consist largely, if not entirely, of economists, able to sift evidence and come to sound conclusions, and could, with tho assistance of the proposed league, gather evidence without journeying beyound the principal centres. The Minister mentioned that since post-war fully thirty commissions of investigation had been reported on, which embraced a variety of matters covering field problems. He and his colleagues were of opinion that the commission, however carefully selected, would add very little to the information already recorded, and would, in addition, b'e very costly. The conference doubtless would consider these matters. He would await its decisions before submitting the matter tu Cabinet. Sir Andrew Russell said the scope of the enquiries of the proposed league aimed at removing all obstacles in the path of agriculturists and the improvement of methods of dealing with unoccupied lands, of which the Auckland province contained to-day a large proportion. If the league became a live organisation attention would be attracted throughout the Dominion to the vacant lands of Auckland. The league would become an intelligence department. Although the country is passing through a time of depression, that is no reason why we should lie down to it. The position ahead was sound. The~o was calm water in the distance, and they should not be afraid to face the intervening breakers. There appeared to be a great deal of unemployment throughout the country, and he had seen more men on the road in bis district this year than last. The industrial crisis ■ England ' was reflected here. The whole position, boiled down, was as to whether the New Zealand farmer was making the most of the land. He had taken as a watch word, “Produce morel” With increasing competition in, the world’s markets it was necessary for the farmers of this country, (f they were to meet this competition, to apply science to their operations. They should urge and assist in legislation which will tend to promote the profitable exploitation of land settlement, agriculture, and farming in all its phases, and strenuously endeavour, with co-opeartion Qf the press and other agencies, to educate public opinion to a true appreciation of the importance of increased production, and encourage the rising generation to look to some phase of the primary industries as a career. Members of the league should first think and then act. Want to Help the Government.

The speaker noticed that in Mr McLeod’s remarks in the Waikato, published to-day, the Minister deprecated any attempt to stampede the Government. The league’s object was not to stampede anyone, least of all the Government. It was out to help, not to hinder, the Government. Sir A. Russell said the Government could not move faster than the opinion of the people, and must have the wellconsidered and whole-hearted support of the public before it could act. The speaker moved: “That this meeting, recognising the seriousness of the land settlement problem, is of opinion that the time lias arrived when some organisation be inaugurated for the stimulation of land settlement and primary production. Mr .i. A. McGill (chairman of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company), in seconding, said it was urgent "that something be done to galvanise public opinion on this 1 important ones Lion. Probably the economic question was the most difficult one ifeoiiiS them. The league would as-

sist greatly by encouraging thought on these matters. Undoubtedly production is not increasing in ratio to the external indebtedness. W e had been steadily losing ground in ibis direction, and while that continued we could not progress. There was such a wide margin between the public indebtedness and the export increase that it became a matter of grave concern to all sections of the community, and not merely the farmers. (Applause). Mr Edwin Harding (Dargaville) said there is undoubtedly a feeling of despondency and pessimism among the farmers to-day. It was desirable that this should ho removed. IVJr Duxfield’s Amendment.

Mr R. D. Duxficld (Ilorotiu). moved an amendment that the Farmers’ Union, an already established organisation, whose aims and objects arc identical with those of Ihc proposed league, with necessary support was capable of carrying on the work now suggested. The speaker said the great difficulty was lack of funds. To set up a league would only mean the duplication of the objects and energies, and the waste of further funds. They did not want a number of organisations to carry on the same work, dissipating energies and funds. Mr A. J. Chapman (Swamp Development League), said millions of money had been spent in the W aikato on different public services, while thousands upon thousands of acres of laud were- lying under water which, if brought under cultivation, would grease the wheels of the machinciM The league had his hearty support, and, if established on the lines suggested would have a valuable effect.

Hon G. Fowlds said no doubt all sections of the community should become interested in land settlement. If the league had no other effect than to create this interest then it would have done useful work. Shortly there would arrive Dr. Belshaw, a well-known economist, who had made a special study of agricultural statistics, who would doubtless he glad to co-operate with the league, and could lend very valuable assistance. .Speaking of the Agricultural College Mr Fowlds said the whole question of production and a reduction in the cost of production would be stimulated by the work of the college when established. A solution of the problem affecting failures could only be reached by scientific team work. Mr Hayward (Maungatapere) said undoubtedly scientific research' was needed, and was the quickest and most direct solution of tho difficulty.

League Opposed.

Mr J. Peat (Whangarei), in opposing the resolution, expressed the opinion that it would only mean a duplication of organisation. The goslow policy of all sections of the community was at the bottom of the present trouble. Wages were not too high, but the amount done for the pay was too small. There were too many highly-paid officers all passing the work down to some one else. The league would only be another officer. Mr W. J. llolusworth (chairman of the Auckland Power Board) said he represented 40,000 consumers of electricity. The League could not do harm, but might do a vast amount of good, and for that reason he would support it.

Captain Colbeck (Morrinsville) said they were asking the Government to increase land settlement when they were hoping they would he able to get off their own holdings. (Laughter and cries of “No!”). The cost of production had been so raised that New Zealand could not hope to compete in the markets of the world, although she could produce butter equal to anything in the world. When they got rid of artificialities and got a chance of making a living there would bo no difficulty about settling the land. Mr S. Irwin Crookes, engineer, who also owns a farm, considered from costly experience that it was a ridiculous proposal to consider at present tho development of undeveloped lands. They should devote themselves to the better development of those already occupied. It had been said that the country kept the town, but to-day the town was endeavouring to keep the country. (“No.’).’ He knew a number of business men who owned farms which they were keeping going out of the profits on their city businesses.

Mr J. G. Hughes (Grey Lynn) said only two things were of supreme importance to-day. One was that tho Control Board had played hell. (“ No, no!”) It had confiscated produce. The second thing was that they were suffering from unreciprocal tariffs. If other countries would not bring down the tariffs New Zealand must put up her tariffs to balance matters. If America would bring down her tariffs to meet New Zealand, as New Zealand had to meet her’s, New Zealand produce would find a ready market.

Support of Manufacturers. Mr J. A. G. Allen (president of the Manufacturers’ Association) said the manufacturers desired to give every assistance to the farmers. If a league was formed they could rely upon the support of the manufacturers in finance and personal effort. What was wanted was the encouragement of lending institutions to advance money to farmers at reasonable interest over a long period. Mr Bennett (Paparoa), with long experience in pioneering, said in 1914 they got Is per lb for butter-fat, and paid £lO per ton for barbed wire. After the war they paid £7O per ton for wire. If farming could be made a payable proposition the land would be developed.

Mr W. H. Allen (Tirau) contended that they should enlist the sympathies of all sections of the community in dhe league. The economic phase of the problem was the most important of all. I-Ie hoped the Government would set up a board to consider putting farming on a sound basis. Mr G. G. Munroe (provincial president of the Farmers’ Union) said Air Duxficld’s motion was his own and not that of the Farmers’ Union. Personally he supported the league. They must formulate public opinion and let the people know that something, had to be done to put farming on a payable ba!sis. The trouble-with the farmer to-day was that he was expected to buy with a sovereign goods worth £l3. If he could only earn 8s a day from a farm he could not afford to pay lGs a day for earning it. Mr G. D. Bayliss (North Shore) expressed the opinion that unless something was done soon the whole country would find itself in the soup, and not only Hie farming community. The subject was largely economic, and it was necessary that they should bring round the conference table ail phases of opinion and the best brains they could find.

Motion Carried. Afr W. W. Alassey moved that a league, to he called the New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League, be formed. Air A. A. Ross (Tc Kauwhata) said the whole structure of the Dominion rested on its primary production. Large areas of land which were formerly producing had now been abandoned and were lying idle. Others had to be sold at half the value of the improvements put on them. In still

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other cases lots of men were not making a living, but were just hanging on in the hope of something turning up. There was a lot of leeway with the present lands to make up before opening up new lands. They should lorm the league and get a healthy public opinion on the matter before asking the Government to take the matter UP- . . The motion was carried.

The following committee was set up to frame a constitution: Alcssrs A. AL Bislev (Hamilton), W. McArthur (Auckland), W. W. Alassey (Mangcre), A. A. "Ross (Te Kauwhata), J. Bodic (To Kuili), W. J. Broadfoot (To Kuiti), Edwin Harding (Wairoa), Fred Hcllaby (Auckland), W. J. Iloldsworth (Auckland), AL McArthur (Auckland), George Finn (Auckland), H. S. Eastgate (Auckland), E. Earl Vailc (Waiotapu), A. W. Perkins (Auckland), G. C. Alunro (Glevedon), Itobt. Burns (Auckland), A. Spencer (Auckland), and G. R. Hutchinson (Auckland).