COAST SETTLERS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18669, 19 April 1926, Page 8

COAST SETTLERS.

DETERIORATED LAND ACT. ANSfOGN6EMBOT BT BffinßFßß. (bsmul to "tbi rim,") GBEYMOtTTH, April IS. The Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister for Lands, accompanied by Mr R. P. Hudson, M.P., arrived at Murchison on Friday* The Minister's visit is mainly with a view to deciding whether the area should be proclaimed to be subject to the Deteriorated Lands Act, which was passed last session. The Minister was met in the pvoning by a large number of settlers. He stated that he had seen the conditions during his visit to the district, and they were quite as bad in the niatter of reversion to second growth, as anything ho had seen in the North Island, where the provisions of tho Act were already being applied. At the request of Mr Hudson he had already obtained a report from his Department, and ho had now decided to issue directions to proclaim the provisional areas suggested by his officers to be subject to the Act. This would include a large area in the Murchison district. Speaking on the subject generally, the Minister stated that in some respects the Jlet would be difficult to administer. Tito committees to bo set up under the Act would have no difficulty in making recommendations in regard to remission of' rentals, but ho wanted to state definitely that no advances would be made unless the Grown could secure priority to any existing mortgages. That was only fair to the general taxpayers, as loan moneys could not be advanced to assist soldiers, if the money would merely result in.improving the position of the mortgagees who were now holding rapidly depreciating assets. With existing Government loans, the position would be more simple, as probably the Lands Department would be able to register a joint first mortgage with the Department concerned, but even in that connexion careful investigation would have to be made, Reefton Visited. The Minister left Murchison yesterday morning for Maruia, where he met the settlers at. Springs Junction at mid-day. After luncheon, he proceeded to Reefton, arriving there last evening. He was accompanied from Springs Junction to Eeefton, by tho chairman of the Inangahua County Council and the County clerk. The Minister received deputations at Reefton last evoning.