LAND SETTLEMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18395, 31 July 1931, Page 5

LAND SETTLEMENT.

AN ACTIVE POLICY. WHAT GOVERNMENT IS DOING. (By Telegraph—Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Government recognises the necessity, especially in a primary producing country such as New Zealand, for the prosecution of a vigorous policy of land development and settlement, said tlib Finance Minister in his Budget speech last evening. The matter is of particular importance at present, owing to the necessity for increasing the Dominion’s exports to offset the reduction In prices received in the;, overseas markets, and also with a view to assisting in the relief of unemployed. During the period December Ist, 1928 (when the United Government took office), to May 31st, 1931, over 940,000 acres of all classes of Crown land had been selected on various tenures, involving over 4,350 subdivisions, which include some 700 entirely' new rural sections selected on permanent tenures. The number of settlers actually placed on the land does not cover the whole of the Government’s activities, as the areas which are being developed by the Crown have not yet been offered for selection. Every unoccupied block of Crown land in the Dominion has been specially reported upon, and as a result arrangements are being made to settle a large number of sections, the settlers to receive financial assistance for the further development of the land. Good progress is also being made in the development of large areas of gum and pumice country in various localities. Satisfactory progress Is also being made with the development of certain estates purchased under the ■Land for Settlements Act. Approximately 3,000 acres have been laid down in pasture in various blocks and further large areas are in preparation, incidentally giving employment to a large number of men. In addition 'to the development of Crown lands, the Government has also acquired some 54 properties, covering a total area of approximately 110,388 acres, and capable of subdivision into over 350 farms.

Very. successful results have been accomplished in connection with the Nat-ive-land-development schemes. In the North Auckland province development work is being proceeded with energetically, and some 404 separate holdings are under supervision. In the Waikato and King Country districts several large areas are being broken in for settlement, while in Rotorua—Bay of Plenty districts the area under development exceeds 30,000 acres. Work Is also being carried out in the East Coast, PovertyBay, and Wairoa districts, and at Wairau (Marlborough) and Southland in the South Island,