AGRICULTURE AND IMMIGRATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 48, 25 February 1914, Page 5

AGRICULTURE AND IMMIGRATION.

UTTLISATIOH OF WATER POWEK. SPEECH BY THE PREMIER. (By Telegraph.—rress Association.) HASTINGS, this day. Speaking at the cold stores banquet last night the Premier stated that Mr. J. G. Wilson, of Rangitikei, had been asked to accept the presidency of the Board of Agriculture, and a gentleman residing in the South Island would be offered the vice-presidency. Two other appointments were to be made. The experiment tried in South Canterbury of providing five-acre farms for labourers, who paid deposits of £25 each, and the balance in twenty-five years, had been a great success. A similar experiment would be made at Masterton, where land had been purchased. Referring to immigration, Mr. Massey said the Government would continue the policy of attracting the right class of immigrant.; to assist to bear the burden of taxation, and to get a good class of settlers on the land.

With reference to harnessing water power, the Prime Minister stated that where the Government were not able to utilise rivers or streams for electricity or other purposes, local bodies would be given the opportunity to do so. The Government would not follow a dog-in-the-manger policy. Replying to a complaint re the class of buildings erected on Government property in the centre of the town, the Premier stated that when the Crown-owned land in a city or borough and erected buildings thereon, it ?hould conform with the municipal by-laws-. Mr. Massey, accompanied by and Miss Massey, left for Wellington this morning. The Hon. Fisher and Mr. H. M. Campbell, M.P., proceeded to Wairoa. Mr. Fisher will arrive in Wellington at 7.30 a.m. on Saturday, on which day a full meeting of Cabinet will be held.