HON. R. McNAB'S IMPRESSIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 53, 2 March 1907, Page 7

HON. R. McNAB'S IMPRESSIONS.

THE FUTDEE OF THE NOKTH. 03y Telegraph.—Own Corresponaent.) PAHL this day. As the Minister for Lands has nowcompleted his tour of North Auckland, a "Star" representative took the opportunity- to-day of gleaning from Ml McNab a few impressions of vital matters concerning the Department which he administers that had. struck him in the course of Ms tour, and as the outcome of the conversation the Minister remarked that he was on the whole agreeably surprised with the country. Certainly between Whangarei and Mangonui a great deal of that described as inferior class had been come across, but when crossing towards the West Coast the improvement was very manifest. The information obtained regarding this poor land, however, was equally valuable, considering what had been attempted in the way of development, and also would be of immense importance if any course were embarked upon ■in the way of experimental work to supply the secret of how to make it reproductive to the State. Speaking of the productiveness of the Far North, the Minister remarked upon the quality of the fruit, especially noticeable at Whangaroa and Hokianga, and all down the Western Coast. The peaches, the quality obtained at Hokianga, was, he thought, the finest that he had ever tasted all over the route; in fact, he was astonished at the abundance of beautiful sweet grapes, while the price (2d), at which price actual sales had been brought under his notice, showed what could b.e done in Now Zealand in-the way of producing grapes, both in" regard to quantity and quality. When -facilities were afforded for getting at the supply there should certainly be no necessity to go abroad for grapes. The only difficulty appeared to be in the way of railway transit, and in tjiat respect he was sorry to see. so much diversion of opinion concerning this most important line of railway for the North. Were interest concentrated on getting the Helensville-Northward line put through, instead of each district clamouring for its own particular ciaim, the whole country would be sooner brought into direct communication with the Auckland market, the work being assisted by the river steamboats. He had noticed in the course of hearing deputations, apart from railways, that kauri gum and timber held the largest place in public estimation up North. Regarding the swamps, concerning which deputations had asked him' to throw them open for flax cultivation, while the diggers had resisted such a course, he expressed the opinion that this difficulty would be satisfactorily disposed of, and allow the digger still to dig gum, while enabling that swamp to be afterwards utilised by the flax grower. The Minister remarked particularly upon the magnificent growth to which flax in the North attained, and expressed himself as being surprised that the magnificent flax North of Auckland appeared yet to be so insufficiently utilised, while in Wellington they were planting largely varieties very much poorer in every respect. THE DAHtY INDUSTRY. Mr McNab regards the dairy industry as being just in its infancy up North. While he was pleased to see that farmers are eager to obtain any information that would assist tneni in their dairying-, pursuit, it was clear that kauri guiri' "woulay "in the comparatively rie'ar future, fail as an industry, while timber would also gradually decrease in importance. In that respect he regarded as their successors fruit, flax, dairying, in that order, in fact when communication had opened up, supplies would pour into Auckland in immense quantities from the sometime slighted North. As a region of beauty spots, too, such places as Whangaroa and Mangonui on the East Coast, and Hokianga and Kaipara on the West Coast would become, in the future, favourite watering places for Aucklanders. Lacking, perhaps, the grandeur of the Southern Sounds and estuaries, there were in this long coastline of the Northern peninsula magnificent and beautiful prospects in abundance. The almost, perfect weather that was enjoyed during this Northern trip had made it an exceedingly enjoyable one. THE LAND QUESTION. Coming to the burning question that had principally been responsible for this tour, Mr. McNab said that the meetings Generally had been most satisfactory, while, in respect of interest manifested, Whangarei, Dargaville and Paparoa certainly led the way. He would say that in the course of conversation, when the excitement of a public meeting was absent, he had noticed that the way it was proposed tp deal with the native land problem seeuied generally to produce a feeling of satisfaction, especially in view of the fact that the Ministry intended to .bring a. considerable quantity of native lands into the market at an early date. Then, respecting the limitation of estates, in the North of Auckland this proposal seemed to be not only favoured, but.he believed still greater limitations [would, find large support. Dealing with the proposal in regard to Crown lands, the Minister expressed the belief that, public feeling in the North was not so much with the holder of perpetuity Crown leases, who desires to obtain the option, as with the granting of option to those who were to take up lands hereafter. The people in the Southern end of the North Island, on the other hand, appeared to be more in favour of perpetuity leaseholders getting the freehold. He considered the North Auckland support of freehold to be rather a support of option of those lands proposed to be set aside for endowment purposes. He found that the meetings were to that extent opposed to the views put forward, but on the other subject the opinion he formed on the whole was that the electors were fairly well satisfied with the proposal. Touching on experimental farms, he held out no hope of the Bickerstaffe experimental farm being developed to any great extent, but thought that the Government would have to have some station dealing with the now neglected lands. That will also be a matter for the Cabinet to consider. It appeared to him as though there was a great field for experimental work north of Auckland, and where agricultural and pastoral associations were ready to undertake a branch of the work, would be' only too willing to assist them. Mr. McNab remarked in conclusion that much of the land that was the subject of deputations during the tour had already been open for selection by the Land Board, and the additional knowledge which the Commissioner had got would assist him in their final placing on the market. The Minister to-day visitec the Bickerstaffe estate, where the party were entertained by the manager, and Manngaturoto. He will reach . Anckland tomorrow night, and will be occupied with

Departmental- business during the evening, and on Sunday afternoon will leave for Wellington. He anticipates returning, to commence his tour of the southern parts of Auckland province, about the end of.March, entering the province lat the Taumarunui end.