KING COUNTRY LANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 241, 11 October 1929, Page 3

KING COUNTRY LANDS.

DEVELOPMENT INTENDED.

CLOSE INQUIRY PROMISED.

REPLY TO DEPUTATION.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

That he looked to the King Country to provide a good deal of the land that would be developed undter the Government's settlement policy was the statement made by the Minister of Lands (the Hon. G. W. Forbes) yesterday afternoon, when replying to a deputation which urged that in the interests of the district settlement should be carried out as rapidly as' possible. "I propose to give three months to the King Country during the recess," said the Minister of Native Affairs, the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata. "I want to concentrate on that district." Mr. Forbes said he recognised the possibilities of the district, which he had visited last recess. He had been impressed with the amount of land capable of increased settlement. The deputation, which was introduced by Mr. W. J. Broadfoot, Government member for Waitomo represented the local bodies of the King Country, Mr. F. Langstone (Waimarino) was also present. Gratification was expressed when Sir Apirana Ngata promised to devote three months to his inquiry. It was explained by Mr. C. Boles, Mayor of Taumarunui, that unless land development was expedited in the surrounding district, the borough of Taumarunui would be unable to meet its liabilities, which totalled £150,000. The sawmilling industry could no longer be reli<?d upon to provide revenue to the extent that it had done in the past. Native Lands Includ:! It was desirable that the large areas of native lands in the Kinsr Country should be settled, said Mr. V. W. Lorigan. who represented the Te Kuiti Borough Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the Waitomo Power Board. Natives should be placed on the same footing as Europeans in the matter of settlement finance. It was useless to try to settle the King Country unless native lands were included in the scheme. Mr. L. Jones, who represented the Waitomo and Waipa counties, regretted that there was no particular reference to native lands in the Government's new legislation. The Minister of Lands: We can purchase and settle native lands. Pleasure was expressed at the Minister's assurance. Mr. Jones said the native lands constituted the most serious problem. Small Blocks Suggested. The menace of ragwort and blackberry on absentee lands was stressed by Mr. S. Knight of the Onsarue Ratepayers' Association Mr. W. E. Waldegrave, of the Eaetihi Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce, also supported the reouest for closer settlement. It was pointed out that as no rates were paid on most of the native lands the position was very difficult. Much of the good native land could be farmed profitably in 20-acre blocks.

The Ministers, who had to appear in the House within a few minutes, made very short speeches, but promised to give the problem their close attention.