23

A.—7

It is not necessary to stress to you the evils attendant upon the present dangerous predominance of urban population, nor the necessity for increased production of our primary products. The money for a carefully considered land-settlement policy is available in Great Britain both under the Empire Settlement Act and from private sources. The only thing necessary now is a united demand from all parts of the Dominion that the Government realize the necessity of such a policy and act accordingly. To ensure this demand being voiced we must have funds to extend our campaign throughout the Dominion, in pursuance of the policy laid down at the conference. We therefore ask you to contribute as liberally as possible to this the most important business development campaign at present on foot. Subscriptions should be addressed to the New Zealand Immigration and Land-settlement League, which body is charged with the duty of carrying out the above-mentioneel resolutions. H. R. Mackenzie, Chairman, Auckland Harbour Board. R. D. Duxeield, President, New Zealand Farmers' Union (Auckland Province). Albert Spencer, President, Provincial Employers' Association. J. Allum, President, Provincial Industrial Association. W. Floyd Harrop, President, Land and Estate Agents' Association of Auckland. Albert Spencer, President, New Zealand Immigration and Land-settlement League. Resolution unanimously carried by Auckland Chamber of Commerce, at the monthly luncheon held on the 7th June, 1923 :— " That this general meeting expresses its sympathy with the objects of the New Zealanel Immigration and Land-settlement League in regard to the more energetic prosecution of the immigration of suitable settlers and the opening-up of public and private lands." New Zealand Immigration and Land Settlement League. Conference of Local Organizations, commenced 17th May, adjourned to 7th June, and held at the Chamber of Commerce, Auckland. The following resolutions were passed unanimously:— 1. It is imperative that the Government make it one of the first planks in its policy to open up the Crown land for the settlement of British emigrants in New Zealand, and that it is justified in raising as much money as may be available for this purpose in terms of the Empire Settlement Act. 2. That in view of the urgent need for more progress in land-settlement and immigration a separate Department of Colonization and Immigration be formed to deal with all questions pertaining thereto. 3. That it is advisable that the Head of this Department be equipped with knowledge of similar work in other countries. 4. That such Department co-operate with the Administration of the Railways and Public Works, with a view to providing railway and road access for the purpose of furthering settlement. 5. That it is desirable to promote the investment of private capital and stimulate private enterprise in the development of our privately held unimproved land, and by amending presentlegislation, and adjusting of taxation where necessary, to assist it in converting unproductive land into productive land, or in subdivision for closer settlement. 6. That every encouragement should be given to companies, &c, to build railways and roads or other means of access under such conditions as shall, afford reasonable safeguards to the interests of the State. 7. That a permanent association be maintained representing all sections of the community and working in co-ordination with existing public organizations to foster the development and settlement of the idle land of New Zealand, to promote and supervise immigration for rural settlement, anel scrutinize all legislation bearing thereon ; and that steps be taken to extend this conference throughout both Islaneis of New Zealand, to the end that an active policy of colonization be fostered and its continuity maintained, and that the aims of such conference be to work with and assist the Government of the day without reference to party or sectional interests. 8. That the resolutions adopted by this conference be forwarded to all Chambers of Commerce, branches of the Farmers' Union, and other bodies, and that they be invited to form provincial, subprovincial, and local branches of the league, and that the delegates to this conference be requested to recommend to their respective organizations that permanent delegates be appointed to this conference for the support and furtherance of the above views, and. to devise ways and means for extending the movement. 9. That this conference commends to public support the appeal of the Immigration and Land Settlement League for funds to give effect to the resolutions of this conference. APPENDIX H. DOMINION OF NEW ZEALAND.— STATE ADVANCES. The following explanatory memoranda are issued with the view to placing before the public the chief provisions of the State Advances Act, 1913, and. amendments. 1. All communications to the Office should be adeiressed, — " The Superintendent, State Advances Office, Wellington, New Zealand." 2. Telegrams should be addressed, " Advances, Wellington," and must be prepaid.