SWAMP DRAINAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 65, 19 March 1926, Page 9

SWAMP DRAINAGE.

IN THE WOODSLAND AREA. NOTE OF CAUTION STRUCK. BY MINISTERS OF CROWN. (by Telegraph.—Special to "Stat , .") HAMILTON", this day. "There are many points nisei to-day which require a*gi"eat dea.l of cOlisuleEiitloii," said the Sort. A. t>. McT H eod, Minister of Lands, when replying to speakers at yestorttay afternoon's function irt coniiectio'n with the drainage of thp Woodlands Sy.'amp. Previously the Ministerial party liad paid a visit of inspection to the whole area and had seen for themselves the possibilities of the country.

'"I will make a guess or offer a suggestion/ lie added. "There is a great quantity of land here held in large areas which are at present undeveloped. Am 1 right or am 1 wrong?"

Voices: Yes, you are right,

"Well, no government i(i the world would be justified In spending public money in developing that land. Per- ■ go'naliy, I do not ibihk that tinder pre : ' sont conditions thie Imid would ever bo bought in. T am riot going to pledge the (tovprnm'eiit to artVthlllff. In this I swslffip thorc are her C'fown lands I involved. It is all freehold. 'Phis fact puts a totally different complexion on I the, subject,! It is ii inattcr of policy. j and must ho decided by Cabinet. The question of hkvihg a eoininission bet up \vi!! be discussed carefully and dlspaSj sionately by Cabinet to see what the I (ioveninient will rip. If a commission \i set up every individual interest will lie given consideration. Qnc dtity of that commission should be to investigate tile large areas with a view to Crown purchase (Hear. lieirK and if it 'is purchased, then in my own. personal opinion its value is darned little." 5 (Loud ! laughter). i '-If we can reasonably help the dis- ! trict." said the Minister in conclusion. j "and do justice to the geiieraj taxpayer Iqf tiie Dominion; then I persoriaily will have pleature in doing so." (LoiiS appliiuse). Remarks 6f Hon. 0. J. Hawken. After haying: congratulated tlie.vaiiptis speakers oii tlie w&y in which they, liad stated their case, the newly-appointed Minister of Agriculture, Hon. O. J. Hawken said, "If there is anything New Zealand wants to-day it ii the development of its waste lands to increase production."' Continuing, Mr. Hawken reitaarked the so#nef land he had sden in the Woodlands swaihp area -was 'brought into a state of productivity the better it would be for the country. Greater production was the main object. From figures and facts supplied by various speakers the land they had inspected must be good, although the results liad been obtained fronf partially developed areas. As the riew Minister of Agriculture, lie had been pleased to go through the district to see what should he dflne. Mis Department was there to render help. The Hon. it. F. Bollard, Mifiister of Internal Affairs, expressed similar sentinietita. Briefly summarised, the requests of the Waikato Swamp .Development League were as follow:.—That a ebmniissl'on be set up by the Goyefninent to investigate- matters relating to the Woodlands swamp, and inquire into the following :-*(!) Taking ©I evidence and report on practical side of the scheme, and whether it would bp desirable on the lines of tlie Government report. (2) The area to be embraced, or if possible proportionate costs over the. respective districts. (3) To suggest basis of representation and administration. (4) To suggest amendments necessary to drainage legislation to meet requirements of tiiis scheme. (5) To' investigate tile scheme with the object of aacertairiing if money for this development work could be obtained under the Elnpire Settlement Act. (0)' To suggest tt , sound system of finance in relation to repayments of advances, find a 'basis of contribution and other financial assistance from the General FUnd of tllic Government. (7) To suggest means of handling; subdividing arid setting the larger atfe'ss of the swamp. (8) ' The coniin.iei.lott to be a fully qualified, impartial triburnal. which would give those opposed an. equal opportunity with, "supporters of the scheme to be • heard.

In conclusion it was emphatically stated that the drainage of the swan\p as laid down by the Gfcverhmerit's report was a national scheme in thg, interests of New Zealand and increased produce tion.