MINISTER'S TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 30, 5 February 1925, Page 5

MINISTER'S TOUR.

MR. McLEOD IN THE WAIKATO. NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT. SMALLER HOLDINGS URGED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent ) PUTARURU, this day. The Minister of Lands concluded his Upper Waikato tour yesterday, making a comprehensive survey of settled land at Tokoroa, Willisdown. and Lichfield. One fine sight was a 500-aere crop of swedes on a first plough on the Matarawa Land Company's property, Tokoroa, and another was the nursery of 8,000,000 seedling pinus insignis trees which are being raised nt Putaruru for planting out on commercial forestry blocks sext winter. It was particularly emphasised to the Minister that the country here is cut up into far too large sections — originally tip to 5000 acres—whereas experience has shown that, small areas, up to 500 acres, with intensive working, are by far the best proposition. The Minister of Lands, the Hon A. D. McLeod, accompanied by Mr. Marsh, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Mr. F. F. Hockly, M.P. for Rotorua. and Mr. C. C. Macmillan.M.P. for Tauranga, arrived at Cambridge last evening from Tokoroa. The party stopped at Tirau to enable a deputation from the Matamata County Council to wait upon the Minister in connection with the Council loan proposals for a roading scheme throughout the county. flotation of Loans. Mr. F. Lye, M.P. (Waikato) introduced the deputation, consisting of the chairman, Mr. G. W. Henderson, and the county engineer and clerk. The member referred to the interruption of the negotiations for the flotation of loans, stating the Council desired a clause in the Washing-up Bill to give them certain powers in furthering loans. The reason the clause was wanted in the bill was owing to the Council being called upon to contend with objec.tionists to a poll, who considered there were irregularities in the manner the recent poll was conducted. The protest was at the eleventh hour at the close of the last session, and it was impossible for the Lands Committee to hear evidence for or against the loan scheme; therefore, it was decided that the matter would not be proceeded with. The Council then got into communication with the Crown law draftsmen, who stated that apart from the objections raised to loans, certain principles were involved, and the Council were advised during the recess to draft a local bill and send it to the Crown law draftsman. Then it would be brought before Parliament early in the coming session. If the Local Bills Committee recommended the bill be proceeded with, there would be no difficulty in obtaining the powers required for carrying out the Council's proposals. The chairman of the County Council drew the Minister's attention to the fact that loans bad not yet been gazetted. He further stated that the objectors would now withdraw all objections to the loan proposals as the result of a recent conference. The Minister replied that he would be pleased to go into the matter of gazetting the loan, and further, he agreed with the case as put forward, and advised the drafting of the local bill, which he felt sure the local member would take charge of and see that Council requirements were met. Swamp Reclamation. On arrival in Cambridge, the Minister received a deputation from the Tuatuamoana Drainage Board, relative to the matter of the Government granting a subsidy for the purpose of extending drainage operations in the swamp area of the board. Mr. Odlin, spokesman, presented the board's case to the Minister. He stated the area around the swamp was becoming subject to closer settlement, and he was optimistic that if further assistance was granted the board, the swamp land would ultimately be brought in. There were two main drains in tbe swamp which had had the effect of consolidating the peat area. The drains now wanted deepening. The hoard had already expended £3250 on drainage and did not want the work finally lost. The board had applied to the State Advances Department, but with little success. The amount required was £2500, and the board was hopeful the Government would grand a £ for £ subsidy. In reply to the deputation, the Minister said the Government was now only granting £1 for £1 subsidies when Crown lands were concerned, and tbe contributions to freeholds were very .small." The question of subsidising boards controlling private holdings was one of policy, adopted by the Government, which at present does not provide for private drains. The Minister was decidedly not in favour of the Government taking over from the board the \ work of draining the area as a whole. i However, this matter, concerning the j Treasury, was one for the Minister of Finance to consider. If he was prepared to consider the suggestion, the Minister of Lands would do what he could to help them.