CONCERNING SOUTHERN AGRICULTURISTS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9161, 19 July 1895, Page 6

CONCERNING SOUTHERN AGRICULTURISTS.

A deputation of Southern members, consisliug of Messrs V-inkerton, Allen, Earnshaw, Morrison, W. Hutchison, Green and VV. Fraeer waited to-day on the Minister for Lands to obtain some expression of opinion on various matters affecting the welfare of their constituents. Mr Pinkerton explained that the deputation desired to hear the Minister's opinion upon the question of the control by the Government of the price of lime to be supplied to farmers. The Minister answered that a Bill would presently be ready which will enable the Government in the public interest to resume private lands containing lime deposits. The measure would, in fact, be the same iv priuciple as that contained ia the Lands for Settlement Act. It was not the iuLeivtioa of the Government to work such lands, but to have them worked under equitable conditions of fair prices to the farmer and fair wages to those employed in the production of the lime. This is not precisely what the Minister said—l was not there—but from what I gather from reliable sources, it ie what be meant. I learn thab as to the question of fruitgrowing in Ocago the Minister proposed to select, suitable land in the neighbourhood of Clyde for that purpose, and in this intention Mr Fraaer, of Wakabipu, entirely concurs. As to the desired Agricultural Hall in Duuedin, Mr M'Kenzie did not see his way to do more for that city in such an erection than for other centres—indeed, he has already said this before with more amplitude, in answer to questions, when he said, wit.h much apparent fairness, that it was " a large order/ , and that it. seemed to him that allfchould be treated alike. Then Mr Thomas Mackenzie put in a vigorous plea for the extension of the Catlin's River Railway. He urged that a thorough exploration of the country should be made, the route fixed, and laud reserved while still in the hands of tbe G>vernmeat. He also urged that a sum should be placed on the estimates to form the line to Catliu's river bridge, as the country was almost level, while the certainty of the value of the forest timber would be quickly reached. The Minister promised to urge on the necessary surveys.